Made-By publishes its annual report for 2009

Made-By, the European not for profit organisation that works with brands to make sustainable fashion common practice, has published its annual report that covers its activities in 2009. The report also includes the latest “Scorecards” for 24 of its 36 partner brands as well as case studies for Jackpot and Chetna Organic. The overall impact of the Made-By partner brands grew considerably in 2009: in total, more than 3 million garments were produced over the 12 months in socially certified factories, an increase of 117 % from 2008; and over 2.6 million garments were produced with sustainable materials, an increase of 152 %. Given the global trading climate, 2009 was both a promising and challenging period for Made-By. Sustainability is now accepted within the fashion industry as a real priority and during 2009 Made-By engaged with more than 300 brands in conversation, training and workshops.

“We realise that the increased attention on corporate social responsibility will change the way clothing is designed, produced, sold and used,” explains Mark Huis in ’t Veld, Managing Director of the Made-By Label Foundation. “Materials are a key example. It is clear that the future of the two main materials for clothing, cotton and polyester, is limited. Polyester is made from oil, a non-renewable resource. Cotton will be competing for land and water with other crops for food, feed, fuel, firewood and fibre to meet the needs of a rapidly growing world population of nearly ten billion people in 2050. Recycling will offer some relief, but change is inevitable.”

One of the highlights of 2009 was the introduction of Made-By in the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s leading sustainable fashion markets. Made-By is currently working closely with 36 international fashion brands of varying size and scope, including from the UK and Ireland brands such as Edun, Komodo and Ted Baker. It has also been doing specific project work for brands including Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, O’Neill, WE and G-Star. “We are very pleased at how the UK market is starting to embrace and discover what Made-By stands for,” says Allanna McAspurn, Made-By’s UK General Manager. “There is no question that the UK is already one of the world’s leading sustainable fashion markets, yet we are still only scratching the surface for what needs to be done.”

Made-By