Skip to main content

Sustainable Practices in Luxury Apparel Industry

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Sustainable Luxury Textiles and Fashion

Abstract

Although the market share for the luxury apparel has increased considerably, the industry, however, is perceived to be lagging behind in sustainable practices. This chapter identifies sustainable practices within luxury apparel brands against Global Reporting Indicators (GRI) and extends the ‘Greening Goliaths versus Emerging Davids’ conceptual framework for classifying the luxury brands. Using the case study approach, this chapter analyzes sustainable practices of nine global luxury brands and classifies them into four clusters: Ecopreneurs, Greening Goliaths, Emerging Davids, and Sustainable Entrepreneurs. Results indicate that true artisanal brands with third party accreditation in sustainable reporting such as Prada and Gucci emerged as sustainable entrepreneurs. On the other hand, Ralph Lauren a ready-to-wear luxury brand with emphasis on economic values emerged as an ecopreneurs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Achabou MA, Dekhili S (2013) Luxury and sustainable development: is there a match? J Bus Res 66(10):1896–1903

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Amatulli C, Guido G (2011) Determinants of purchasing intention for fashion luxury goods in the Italian market: a laddering approach. J Fashion Mark Manage 15(1):123–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bain & Company (2014) Luxury goods worldwide market study winter 2014. http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/luxury-goods-worldwide-market-study-winter-2014.aspx. Accessed 21 Aug 2014

  4. Beard ND (2008) The branding of ethical fashion and the consumer: a luxury niche or mass-market reality? Fashion Theor: J Dress, Body Culture 12(4):447–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bendell J, Kleanthous A (2007) Deeper luxury: quality and style when the world matters. WWF, UK

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bhardwaj V, Fairhurst A (2010) Fast fashion: response to changes in the fashion industry. Int Rev Retail Distrib Consum Res 20(1):165–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. BrandZ (2014) https://www.millwardbrown.com/brandz/2014/Top100/Docs/2014_BrandZ_Top100_Chart.pdf. Accessed 21 Aug 2014

  8. Brun A, Caniato F, Caridi M et al (2008) Logistics and supply chain management in luxury fashion retail: empirical investigation of Italian firms. Int J Prod Econ 114(2):554–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Caniato F, Caridi M, Castelli C et al (2011) Supply chain management in the luxury industry: a first classification of companies and their strategies. Int J Prod Econ 133(2):622–633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Cervellon MC, Shammas L (2013) The value of sustainable luxury in mature markets: a customer-based approach. J Corp Citizensh 52:90–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Chetty SK (1999) Dimensions of internationalisation of manufacturing firms in the apparel industry. Eur J Mark 33(1/2):121–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Chevalier M, Mazzalovo G (2008) Luxury brand management: a world of privilege. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  13. Danziger P (2005) Let them eat cake: marketing luxury to the masses-as well as the classes. Kaplan Publishing, Fort Lauderdale

    Google Scholar 

  14. Fionda AM, Moore CM (2009) The anatomy of the luxury fashion brand. J Brand Manage 16(5):347–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Gardetti MA (2014) Stories from the social pioneers in the sustainable luxury sector: a conceptual vision. In: Girón ME (ed) Sustainable luxury

    Google Scholar 

  16. GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) (2008) Sustainability reporting guidelines and apparel and footwear sector supplement. https://www.globalreporting.org/reporting/sector-guidance/sector-guidance/pilot-versions/apparel-and-footwear/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed 17 Sep 2014

  17. GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) (2013) https://www.globalreporting.org/resourcelibrary/GRIG4-Part1-Reporting-Principles-and-Standard-Disclosures.pdf. Accessed 30 Sep 2014

  18. Griskevicius V, Joshua MT, Van den Bergh B (2010) Going green to be seen: status, reputation, and conspicuous conservation. J Pers Soc Psychol 98(3):392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Hammer CØ (2011) Luxury fashion branding. Thesis, Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences

    Google Scholar 

  20. Heine K (2012) The concept of luxury brands. Luxury Brand Manage 1:1208–2193

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hockerts K, Wüstenhagen R (2010) Greening Goliaths versus Emerging Davids—theorizing about the role of incumbents and new entrants in sustainable entrepreneurship. J Bus Ventur 25(5):481–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Joy A, Sherry JF, Venkatesh A et al (2012) Fast fashion, sustainability, and the ethical appeal of luxury brands. Fashion Theor: J Dress Body Cult 16(3):273–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Kapferer JN (2010) All that glitters is not green: the challenge of sustainable luxury. Eur Bus Rev 40–45

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kozlowski A, Searcy C, Bardecki M (2015) Corporate sustainability reporting in the apparel industry: an analysis of indicators disclosed. Int J Prod Perform Manage 64(3):377–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Okonkwo U (2007) Luxury fashion branding: trends, tactics, techniques. Palgrave Macmillan, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  26. Perry P, Towers N (2013) Conceptual framework development: CSR implementation in fashion supply chains. Int J Phys Distrib Logistics Manage 43(5/6):478–500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Poldner K, Branzei O (2015) David versus Goliath: how eco-entrepreneurs transform global ecosystems. In: Handbook of entrepreneurship and sustainable development research. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

  28. Reddy M, Terblanche N (2005) How not to extend your luxury brand. Harvard Business Review, USA

    Google Scholar 

  29. RobecoSAM (2014) RobecoSAM sustainability yearbook 2014. http://yearbook.robecosam.com/. Accessed 30 Sep 2014

  30. Silverstein MJ, Fiske N (2003) Trading up: the New American luxury. Portfolio/Penguin Group, New York

    Google Scholar 

  31. Seidman D (2007) How we do anything means everything. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  32. Turker D, Altuntas C (2014) Sustainable supply-chain management in the fast fashion industry: an analysis of corporate reports. Eur Manage J 32(5):837–849

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. WCED (1987) Our common future. The World Commission on Environment and Development, Oxford University Press, Oxford and New York, p 400

    Google Scholar 

  34. WTO (World Trade Organization) (2012) http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/its2012_e/its12_highlights2_e.pdf. Accessed 6 Aug 2013

  35. Wüstenhagen R (1998) Greening Goliaths versus Multiplying Davids, Pfade einer Coevolution ökologischer Massenmärkte und nachhaltiger Nischen. IWÖ-HSG, St. Gallen

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shams Rahman .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rahman, S., Yadlapalli, A. (2015). Sustainable Practices in Luxury Apparel Industry. In: Gardetti, M., Muthu, S. (eds) Handbook of Sustainable Luxury Textiles and Fashion. Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-633-1_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics