It’s been years in the making.
When Sourcing Journal first began hosting our Sustainability Summits, it was always meant to be a bi-coastal endeavor. Then Covid happened.
The time has finally come. On September 26, the premier event for industry insiders working in sustainability and beyond will finally have its day in Los Angeles. As we all know, the lion’s share of textile and garment manufacturing that is still standing stateside is happening there. And the laws, rules and regulations that will ultimately shape our industry and its move toward a greener future are being written in California.
We can’t forget about denim. LA has become a hub for premium jeans brands, and manufacturers are now moving in with onshore facilities. Rivet, the preeminent trade publication for the sector, is a key facet of the SJ universe and will be helping to lead the discussion. Often cited as one of the largest drivers of waste and pollution in fashion and textiles, the denim industry has taken a pioneering role in product innovation and processes over the last two decades to become a beacon of the change that is possible.
We will welcome some of those changemakers to the stage to share their stories, their challenges, and their successes. The godfather of denim himself, Adriano Goldschmied, will be on hand as well as the leaders of many other notable labels including Amy Williams of Citizens of Humanity, Jeff Frye of Kontoor Brands, Adam Taubenfligel of Triarchy and Ética Denim’s Agustin Ramirez.
Since the first stages of planning this event, we knew there were a few locally-based names that exemplify the sustainability movement and were absolute must-haves (much like their fashions). And have them we do. Kathleen Talbot of Reformation and Katina Boutis of Everlane will both be sitting down for candid one-on-one conversations that offer insights on the current state of the industry, how we got here and where we are headed.
I mentioned earlier that California is setting the tone for the nation when it comes to sustainability legislation. We will be talking to some of the people shaping those guidelines with both the Deputy Mayor, Energy & Sustainability for the City of Los Angeles and the Chief Deputy Director at CalRecycle offering information on where current legislation stands as well as what is in the pipeline.
Of course, innovations in fabrics and inputs play a critical part in the sustainability story. Perhaps the most buzzed about name in this space is fledgling textile-to-textile recycling startup Syre. Whether Syre can succeed where others failed or if they can scale the necessary volume to have an impact remains to be seen, but Jad Finck, Chief Commercial Officer at Syre will chat with us and lay out the game plan, as well as offer some perspective on obstacles ahead and the path to success.
All in all, it’s a day that is not to be missed and a wonderful opportunity to share time with colleagues and make the most of the plentiful networking breaks. On behalf of myself and the SJ team, we looking forward to seeing you there.
Pete Sadera
Editor In Chief
Sourcing Journal
