SESSIONS

WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH 9AM - THURSDAY 26 MARCH 6PM

DRIVING PROGRESS ON WORKER RIGHTS THROUGH INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

SHARON WAXMAN, PRESIDENT & CEO, FAIR LABOR ASSOCIATION, USA

CHRIS FOX, VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, HANESBRANDS INC, USA

The Fair Labor Association (FLA) is a multi-stakeholder collaboration of brands, civil society organisations, and universities driving progress on transparency, accountability, and labor standards to improve working conditions and address systemic issues that undermine workers’ rights.

Accredited brand members include adidas, Patagonia, Hanesbrands, Nike, Outerknown, Hugo Boss, Kathmandu and more.

The FLA’s President and CEO Sharon Waxman will share how the FLA partners with its members and other stakeholders to deliver positive impact to workers and workplaces through efforts to advance supply chain transparency, responsible recruitment, living wages, and remediation.

Post Keynote, Sharon will be joined on stage by Chris Fox, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Hanesbrands Inc to discuss Hanesbrands work on fair wages and the role FLA accreditation plays as part of their responsible sourcing programme.

LEADING BY DOING: IN CONVERSATION WITH NUDIE JEANS CO

SANDYA LANG, SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER, NUDIE JEANS (SWEDEN)

In Conversation with Nudie Jeans

In the early 2000’s Nudie Jeans Co saw the value in using organic cotton and investing in supplier relationships.

Twenty years on, transparency, sustainable sourcing and longevity mark the brands focus.

Hear from Sandya Lang, Nudie’s Sustainability Manager on their strategy to continue to challenge the status quo, drive greater impact for the workers in their supply chain and build on their learnings to deliver on their commitment to reduce emissions.

Followed by a special announcement, a first for circular fashion in Australia!

LEADERSHIP IN THE ERA OF ACCOUNTABILITY

ERICA BERCHTOLD, CEO, THE ICONIC

SCOTT FYFE, CEO, THE COUNTRY ROAD GROUP

MARNIE GODING, CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ELK

MODERATED BY CLARE PRESS

What does it take to lead a fashion retailer in this era of increased expectations, hyper transparency and climate crisis?

Stakeholders, from customers and suppliers to regulators and investors, are growing louder in their calls for bold leadership.

Whether it be action on the climate crisis or returning value to garment workers, the ‘new normal’ is being defined by public commitments, bold targets, supply chain transformation and accountability.

Now more than ever, walking the walk is critical to business integrity.

How are business leaders turning these challenges into opportunities and rising to the expectations of the market? How are they navigating the tension between growth and sustainability?

Hear from three business leaders tasked with the responsibility of future proofing not only their companies but the futures of the people and the planet they rely on to trade.

BEYOND AUDIT: DRIVING CREDIBLE CHANGE THROUGH PROVIDING WORKERS A VOICE

GARY SHAW, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MANAGER, KATHMAMDU

Giving workers a voice is imperative to the realization of human rights. Providing safe avenues to share concerns and speak up in confidence is often the missing link between a workforce feeling empowered to improve their livelihoods and those who feel disenfranchised by the system.

How can fashion brands support worker wellbeing in a credible way?

Gary Shaw, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, will share Kathmandu’s approach to transforming their value chain towards a partnership model based on transparency and trust.

Going beyond the standard audit approach and collaborating with suppliers, industry organisations, peers and governments, Gary will provide insights into the training programmes, grievance mechanisms and worker survey tools which Kathmandu utilise to drive tangible change for suppliers and workers alike.

One of only two Asia Pacific members of the Fair Labor Association, Gary will also share how this membership is furthering their collaboration efforts.

*Gary will present via teleconference whilst in South East Asia where he will be providing supplier training.

ARE WE DESIGNING FOR ALL?

GRACE SUTTON, CO-FOUNDER, ALL IS FOR ALL (NEW ZEALAND)

One of the biggest opportunities for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry is missing from the conversation.

Accessibility.

How can we shift our mindset towards truly designing for all by turning a multi-billion dollar blind spot into independence and dignity for the quarter of the population living with access needs?

What can brands do to ensure their designs are relevant to all lovers of fashion?

Whether its in the design studio, on the shop floor or behind an ecommerce site, there is an incredible array of tools, techniques and critical thought to make experiences for those with access requirements less challenging, more exciting and ultimately more inclusive.

Hear how from our compelling speaker Grace Stratton, who at twenty years of age, alongside co-founder Angela Bevan, created All is for All, an accessible social change agency.

All is for All has already made waves for accessibility by working with New Zealand Fashion Week to cast six models with disabilities for the first time and advising leading brands on accessible design. Alongside Jacinda Ardern, Grace is the only other New Zealander to be featured in InStyle Magazine’s annual Badass 50 list for 2019.

THE STATE OF CIRCULARITY IN AUSTRALIA 

ALEASHA MCCALLION, SENIOR OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATOR, MONASH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

DR CHRISTOPER HURREN, SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW, INSTITUTE FOR FRONTIER MATERIALS, DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

COUNCILLOR JESS MILLER, CITY OF SYDNEY

STEPHANIE DEVINE, FOUNDER, THE VERY GOOD BRA

PETER ALLAN, DIRECTOR, SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE USE

If sustainability was the buzzword of the last decade, circularity came a close second.

Despite being recognised as a critical business and design tool for reducing waste and the reliance on natural resources, circularity - what it entails, how it can be implemented, and the infrastructure required - is still not seeing much action.

A truly circular fashion industry requires system change. At every stage of the value chain. A transformation of the ways we produce and consume.

It’s an exciting opportunity but also a critical one.

So for all the buzz, where can we find the action? Do we have the data we need to make evidence-based decisions?

Do we have the commitments from industry and governments to invest in the infrastructure required and are companies equipped to redesign their business models to be truly circular?

Hear from academics, government and business leaders actively working to future proof our environment by transitioning our industry away from a linear economy to a circular one.

POWER BROKER FOR CHANGE: THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER KEEPING CARBON IN THE GROUND

NICOLE RYCROFT, FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CANOPY (CANADA)

Supply chain transformation is a powerful agent of change. But how exactly does it happen and who takes on the challenge of mobilising an entire sector of the fashion industry?

With over 150 million trees being felled in the name of fashion each year, Canopy founder Nicole Rycroft took on the task of transforming the viscose supply chain by harnessing the purchasing power of brands and galvanising the industry around a common goal: cease sourcing wood pulp from ancient or endangered forests.

In only 6 years, not-for-profit Canopy has obtained commitments from over 80% of pulp suppliers with over 200 brand members including Stella McCartney, All Birds, Levis, Spell, Country Road, ELK moving towards more innovative fabrics and responsible forest sources. Moving the needle is indeed possible.

We’re excited to be bringing such a game changer to the Legacy stage. Nicole will not only share what can be achieved through collaborative action and leverage but also share Canopy’s Next Generation Action Plan hot off the press from its launch at Davos. What can we achieve through adopting circular solutions and using next generation materials? Most importantly, what will be left if we don’t?

3D: THE FUTURE OF FASHION IS DIGITAL

NATALIE JOHNSON, CEO & FOUNDER, 3D ROBE

PATRICIA CHIRCOP, DIRECTOR, KNIT MELBOURNE

The 3D Revolution is here and it’s changing the fashion system in ways we could never imagine.

3D sampling, virtual reality, digital avatars. The new world order is transforming everything from production to ecommerce to showrooms.

With huge savings to be made in both carbon emissions and the bottom line, the argument is a compelling one and why brands like Tommy Hilfiger have committed to digitise their entire design process by 2021. 

By doing away with sketches, physical samples and photoshoots, is 3D technology providing the solution to one of fashion’s waste hot spots?

Delve into this exciting topic and discover the opportunities for your design, buying, production and E-Commerce teams.

HOW CAN WE ENSURE SOCIAL AUDITS PROGRESS WORKER RIGHTS?

AVEDIS SEFERIAN, CEO, WRAP

RONA STARR, PRESIDENT & CEO, APSCA

Social audits are the touchstone of many responsible sourcing programmes. How they can be most effective in upholding worker rights?

Providing a snapshot of factory conditions from which to further inform a brands sourcing strategy, how they are conducted and by whom will inform their quality and the value of information captured.

What can brands do to ensure the audits they receive are credible and represent the truth? Unlikely to detect instances of workplace harassment or forced labour, how can brands supplement audits to ensure their sourcing programs are robust and addressing all of these risks?

What about remediation? What skillsets do brands need to invest in to remediate issues, implement change and provide capacity building opportunities in their supply chains?

FAIR LABOR ASSOCIATION - FAIR COMPENSATION

RENEE BOWERS, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL COMPLIANCE, FAIR LABOR ASSOCIATION, USA

Fair wages are critical to the rights of workers yet the gap between minimum and dignified wages prevails. The Fair Labor Association is committed to fair compensation for workers and has developed a strategy and related tools to help companies make progress on this urgent issue.

The FLA’s fair compensation dashboard and wage data collection tool enables its brand members to see a factory’s average wage mapped on a wage ladder.

The tool calculates the average worker wage within a factory by recording information about specific components – base wages, incentive pay, in-kind benefits, and other aspects of worker pay – across several different job descriptions on a factory floor.

Attendees will be given a demonstration of how the dashboard enables brand affiliates of the FLA to upload wage data and compare this to regional living benchmarks and prevailing wages assisting them to work towards fair compensation for workers in their supply chain. 

NUDIE JEANS LIVING WAGE APPROACH

SANDYA LANG, SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER, NUDIE JEANS, SWEDEN

Nudie Jeans commenced their living wage journey in 2013 with a single final stage supplier. The program has since expanded to incorporate multiples suppliers, at further tiers of the supply chain, as well as brand collaborations at shared factories.

Attendees will learn the approach Nudie Jeans has taken to implement their living wage strategy including its successes and challenges.

Sandya Lang will share the methods by which living wage payments have been determined, Nudie Jeans’ engagement with Fair Wear Foundation’s living wage incubator and the role worker voice training has played in driving progress of the program.

RESPONDING TO THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTS WHICH DELIVER WORKERS DIGNITY: ETHICAL CLOTHING AUSTRALIA

ANGELA BELL, NATIONAL MANAGER, ETHICAL CLOTHING AUSTRALIA

ELOISE BISHOP, HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY, DAVID JONES & COUNTRY ROAD GROUP

KATE BIELENBERG, RETAIL BRAND MANAGER, CUE CLOTHING CO

Retailers are increasingly looking for social and environmentally responsible products to meet rising customer demand with designers frequently being asked what efforts they are making in this space and how they can prove them.

In order for retailers to provide rigour to product claims and demonstrate best practice, independent third-party certifications and accreditations are being included in sustainability programmes.

One such accreditation which designers manufacturing in Australia can utilise is Ethical Clothing Australia whose mission is to ensure local garment workers receive their legal entitlements and work in safe conditions.

Attendees to this session will learn the value ECA accreditation delivers to workers in the Australian manufacturing value chain as well as the brand experience of the process itself. What does it involve in terms of timeline, costs and factory audits?

CUE Clothing Co will share their experience from a factory, brand and marketing level and the ins and outs of accreditation whilst David Jones will share their sustainability attributes programme, which is part of their broader Good Business Journey and why they see ECA as a credible attribute to support in its response to growing customer demand.

THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS & THE FASHION INDUSTRY

JULIE BOULTON, PROJECT MANAGER, MONASH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

CORINNE SCHOCH, SENIOR ADVISOR, GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK AUSTRALIA

The SDGs were created collaboratively by 193 governments, including Australia, to address and resolve some of the world’s most critical challenges by 2030.

Providing a universal framework for progress towards a more sustainable future, the goals are designed for any size of business to implement with incredible value in uniting everyone from employees to customers under a common language.

Unpack the SDG framework and how to align your sustainability strategy to the goals.

This interactive session will help attendees understand the value of the Sustainable Development Goals and their relationship to the fashion industry, including how living wages, circularity, water use, emissions, textile waste and more fit into the framework.

Attendees will review best practice case studies of how brands are implementing the goals, the benefit it brings their business and what tools can be used to assess progress in order to measure performance.

LET’S TALK ABOUT POLYBAGS

MEREDITH EPP, INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP MANAGER, AUSTRALIAN PACKAGING COVENANT

Brands around the world are tackling single use plastics and packaging in their supply chain. In particular, the ubiquitous polybag.

Utilised almost universally, the poly is still around as it serves a very useful purpose. Nothing protects a garment from dirt or moisture quite like it.

And yet, the race is on to limit the environmental impact of single use plastics and to reach a consensus on which materials and systems to be adopting and commitments to be making.

Simple in form and function, they can be complex in recycling and recovery. Biodegradable? Compostable? Recycled? Bio based? Re-use? What about E-Comm satchels?

This session will explore what best practice looks like in the here and now in this ever-evolving space. Delegates will explore reduction and recovery strategies, what recycled and reusable options are available, infrastructure available for collections as well as international legislation including our own National Packaging Targets. 

MICROFIBRES: WHAT WE DO & DON’T KNOW

DR MARK BROWNE, SENIOR LECTURER, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

MARINA CORTE TEDESCO, LEAD TEXTILE ENGINEER, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

What do and don’t we know about the shedding of microfibres and their impact on the environment and the species and organisms that live in the ocean?

The world is awash, don’t mind the pun, with studies on where microfibres are being shed the most - at the manufacturing stage? At the washing stage? At the wearing stage? Which fibres shed the most - synthetic, natural, recycled? Which washing methods shed the least - cold vs hot, slow vs fast?

Data, facts, effective studies count. They are the only way the industry can make evidenced based decisions which address both cause and effect.

Brands are being asked to manage their microfibre risks - which way forward?

Join the microfibre breakout and learn from the scientist who was the first to discover fibres from our clothes were ending up on ocean shores, Dr Mark Browne. Mark and colleagues will share what we know, what we are yet to learn and how brands can support research for the greater good of the industry and nature.

ANIMAL WELFARE: DESIGNING A BEST PRACTICE POLICY

JESSICA MEDCALF, HEAD OF PROGRAMMES, FOUR PAWS AUSTRALIA

A sustainability programme is incomplete without an animal welfare policy, and importantly one which is available to suppliers as well as customers. Policies need to provide suppliers with guidance on expectations around welfare standards, acceptable animal derived fibres and preferred third-party certifications.

What makes for a best practice policy? Which standards are available to verify welfare and chain of custody claims and which materials are high risk and subject to bans from retailers?

Jessica Medcalf, Head of Programmes, will present FOUR PAWS’ textiles policy development guidelines, as well as share examples of best practice brand commitments and fibre positions in line with the rising expectations of industry and consumers alike.

THE AUSTRALIAN MODERN SLAVERY ACT – An opportunity for garment workers?

JUSTIN CUDMORE, PARTNER, MARQUE LAWYERS & CO-CHAIR, AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL

The reporting period for the Australian Modern Slavery Act has passed its half-way mark.

For those companies still to commence, this session will provide a refresh on the requirements to produce a compliant statement, the resources available to support the process and where The Australian act sits within the landscape of broader international transparency legislation.

The Modern Slavery Act represents more than just a statement though. Businesses reporting under the Act are required to put in place due diligence measures so they can identify and mitigate the risks of slavery in their supply chains. The effectiveness of such measures must also be reported on.

What does due diligence look like and how can brands use the legislation as an opportunity to engage more deeply with their staff and suppliers? Can it pave the way for investment in capacity building in their supply chains? Can the Act lead to a greater understanding of the root cause of the prevailing human rights issues in the garment industry and in so doing, embed more meaningful action?

Justin Cudmore, Partner at Marque Lawyers, a registered B Corporation, will demonstrate the opportunities to be had in reporting under the Modern Slavery Act which go beyond merely risk management.

CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGIES - WHERE DO YOU START?

THOMAS SCHRODER, HEAD OF CLIMATE ACTION, SOUTH POLE

AJIT PADBIDRI, SENIOR CONSULTANT, COROPRATE SUSTAINABILITY

There’s a lot of terminology in the climate action space which can make it hard for brands to know where to start, what to measure, what commitments to make and which initiative to sign up to.

Science based targets, GHG Protocol, net zero targets, carbon offsets, scope emissions, climate neutral. What do they all mean and what’s their role in shaping a climate response?

Thomas Schroder, Head of Climate Action at South Pole will provide attendees with a 101 to your climate leadership journey. Learn why not all offsets are created equal, greenhouse gas accounting methods, where the impact lies in scope 1-3 emissions and how to begin reducing your footprint.