Chloé Develops Fashion Social Impact Tool
The tool, used to visualize, measure, and evaluate their social impact, can be used industry-wide.
Since the appointment of creative director Gabriela Hearst in December of 2020, Chloé has seen an emphasis on sustainability within the luxury world. Hearst drastically cut back the use of synthetic materials in favor of an increased presence of knitwears and a heightened understanding of the brand's supply chain. Additionally, the designer centralized the focus on upcycling within the collection to bring an increased sense of urgency surrounding the climate crisis into her work at the house.
At present moment, there is no manner in which fashion companies can measure their social impact throughout their entire value and supply chain. Chloé is now developing one. The Social Impact Measurement tool or Social Performance and Leverage (SP&L) is an open-source tool, not just for its own use, but for fashion companies across the board. This tool will allow brands and companies to measure and compare the impact of their production. The SP&L is entering its final stages of development, having begun the process 18 months ago. Last January, Chloé used the tool to analyze its Spring/Summer 2022 collection.
The SP&L works in tandem with the Environmental Impact Report that was published by Chloé.com this last July. It works to create social auditing, integrate risk analysis, and identify the potentiality of positive impacts on the value chain. The tool is a collaboration between Institut Français de la Mode, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, and the House itself. Reports published by the World Economic Forum and International Business Council create a basis for metrics of the tool.
Such a tool allows brands to ensure the quality of their working conditions, arranged into six categories: wages, job quality, well-being, diversity and inclusion, gender equality, and training. The SP&L gives companies the ability to visualize the impact that they have on those that are directly linked and are necessary to create their products. This ranges from material sourcing, boutique deliveries, and those that are also employed by the Maison's suppliers. The SP&L will finish its development and share its methodology in 2023.
