UK fashion thanks Italian manufacturing, and Burberry gives thanks to the Italian tanning segment: Without the help of manufacturers based in Italy, her majesty’s fashion industry could not achieve the sustainability goals it has set for itself. This is what emerged from “UK-Italy: Lezioni di Moda Sostenibile” (Teachings for sustainable fashion), conference that is organized by the Department of International Trade at the British Institute of Florence’s library in occasion of Pitti Uomo (the moment of the meeting, in photo). Representatives from three brands, all with tight connections with Italian manufacturing, were hosted at the event that took place on January 9th: Burberry; Vivienne Westwood, which manufactures 100% of its products in Italy; and Stella McCartney, with the addition of Christopher Raeburn and Bav Taylor, stylists.
Institutional recognition
“The United Kingdom has made ‘clean growth’ the central priority”, is the comment of British ambassador to Italy, Jill Morris, at the opening of the meeting, while Andrew Mitchell, Trade Commissioner and British parliament member, has highlighted how “many brands in British fashion, historic or contemporary, have found Italian suppliers to be essential strategic partners for their global impact”.
Burberry’s Tribute
The most important recognitions to the Italian tanning segment came from Burberry. The brand has “long-term ties to Italy, with a significant quota of total production being manufactured in the country – reminds a press release -, to the point that the brand has recently acquired a site in Scandicci, to make it a center of excellence for the development and production of leather goods”. In the same manner, “Burberry has a long-lasting tradition of making efforts towards social and environmental responsibility – reads the same document previously cited -. We have established our first environmental, ethical commerce, and social funding programs in 2004”. Moreover, Jocelyn Wilkinson, director of Burberry’s Responsibility Programme, while speaking at the conference, thanked UNIC – Italian Tanneries, for the support it offers businesses, allowing such enterprises to reach their sustainability goals: the supply chain must be involved in the responsibility mission, and certified Italian tanners are valid partners.
