Fashion’s Crossroads: Embracing Sustainability for Longevity
The fashion industry has long been associated with unsustainability—almost as if one was synonymous with the other.
If we have learned anything from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) marking 2024 as the second-highest year for climate-related natural disasters in the United States, it’s we can no longer continue to hide behind blissful ignorance hoping someone else will solve the problem.
Fashion is a cultural market, a reflection of the current era. Yet, while style has evolved with time, the processes behind it have failed to do the same.
Since its founding in 1967, Ralph Lauren has committed itself to be a timeless brand. But true timeless doesn’t mean being stagnant—rather, the capability to adapt and thrive across generations.
To be truly timeless means standing the test of time.
But problems like climate change and global warming won’t be solved using the same outdated thinking that caused these issues in the first place. If we want to secure a better future for our children and grandchildren, we must adapt too.
Create With Intent
Each year, 92 million tons of textile waste are dumped into landfills, yet up to 100 billion new garments are still produced, with only 1% recycled into new clothes.
Too easily we’ve grown accustomed to false societal pressures to constantly buy new outfits, fearing wearing something more than once as a cardinal sin. Demand feeds supply, but in a capitalist society, supply also shapes demand.
Once brands internally align priorities, then they can shift to more sustainable alternatives.
Consider the impact of production: Making a single t-shirt requires over 2,000 liters of water, and over 60% of the garments the industry produces are made from non-recyclable plastic materials, like polyester.
Brands must ask themselves: How can we create with intent? By first determining the lifecycle of how you develop, produce, and dispose of your clothing, you’ll then be able to outline solutions to minimize harm.
At Ralph Lauren, we divided this into three key areas: integrated circularity, sustainable materials, and value chain for impact.
Integrated Circularity
This refers to extending the life of the product by incorporating high-quality, sustainable materials and scaling efforts to repurpose pre-loved items.
In 2024, Ralph Lauren made significant strides, making four out of five of our iconic products Cradle to Cradle Certified®, and expanded our offerings to include 100% recyclable cotton materials. Our Ralph Lauren Vintage program has also been scaled to connect consumers in key cities with our past collections, while also offering repair services to revive used clothing.
Protect the Environment
Quality materials have a direct correlation to the longevity of a clothing item. Natural, quality-woven fabrics such as cotton, wool, and linen tend to be more durable and maintain its appearance after years of use.
Choosing high-quality, environmentally-conscious materials may require more effort, but will result in superior products and a healthier planet.
In 2024, Ralph Lauren managed a 33% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, cut water use by 26%, and diverted 94% of waste by phasing out coal from our manufacturing supply chain and opting for more sustainable packaging.
Value Chain for Impact
Transparency and traceability along the value chain help brands to strengthen relationships with partners and identify areas for improvement.
At Ralph Lauren, we prioritize partnerships with suppliers who share our values on human rights and environmental responsibility. As of 2024, we have worked with suppliers who meet our sustainability criteria in 56% of our business productions, steadily inching to our goal of 80%. The journey is gradual, but strong.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
As the industry looks to more sustainable practices, we at Ralph Lauren are thoughtfully considering the role we play and are continuously looking for ways to ensure the fashion we produce not only reflects the present, but honors the future.
Creating with intent and committing to sustainability is not a fad, but a necessity. Choosing sustainability is more than just reducing our carbon footprint—rather choosing to no longer be a part of the problem, but the solution.