’s chief of sustainability and head of international institutional affairs Marie-Claire Daveu shared the company’s strategy to transform the industry during a conversation with Miles Socha, WWD’s international editor.
The key driver to meeting that target, she said, is innovation. “Sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. It’s about changing business models and the way you are thinking. We need disruptive innovation at every stage, from raw materials to end of life. And in the luxury sector, we need those to be the highest standard of quality.”EXCLUSIVE: Bestseller, Gap Inc.
Gucci is currently using a new material called Demetra, which is an animal-free, plant-based material. “You see that in our sneakers and in iconic bags as well,” Daveu said. “At Balenciaga two years ago, they were able to use material made from mushroom. The summer 2024 collection uses new material, which is a derivative of microorganisms, plastic free and animal free.”
At the summit, Daveu previewed plans to bring Kering’s start-up accelerator program, Kering Generations, to Saudi Arabia with the Saudi Fashion Commission. This initiative will provide mentorship and resources to local innovators developing sustainable solutions for the fashion ecosystem. “If we want to reach our targets we need innovations. And we think we can bring concrete support to the start-ups. If you are able to work with luxury brands, you can work with other companies.