This is our World. This is our Future.
This is our World. This is our Future.
The report covers important topics for GUESS: Operating with Integrity, Empowering Our People, and Protecting the Environment. In the last two years, GUESS has accomplished the following:
We're creating iconic GUESS fashion with a focus on sustainability - made by a family of empowered people, with minimal waste.
Upholding the same GUESS DNA: this is our world.
But we are dreaming bigger: this is our future.
The values of VISION GUESS support our brand's evolution, our people's livelihoods, and a focused concern towards making a positive impact in and beyond the communities and environments we operate in. Read more about VISION GUESS values below.
We are making real, bold changes in sustainability at GUESS, with a commitment to integrity in how we communicate our progress.
We welcome everyone everywhere - diversity makes us GUESS, so we want to ensure every voice, across the globe, has a place in our workforce and our communications
We are everyone in our supply chain - we are all part of GUESS. We work with our global partners on training and supporting best-in-class practices at all levels.
We will continue to use more organic, recycled, and responsibly sourced materials. GUESS is working to ensure that all plastic-based materials are recycled.
We are introducing new product designs and ideas around how we make and sell, to be more sustainable and waste less, reimagining fashion.
We take the climate crisis seriously and have set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions at GUESS and in our supply chain.
SMART GUESS products are made with environmentally conscious materials and manufacturing processes. Over 20% of our denim is eco SMART, and we are rapidly increasing within the next few years so that most of our denim will follow the SMART GUESS guidelines.
Less water used in the denim wash process during production
30% minimum water savings per denim garment in our collection.
Materials from responsibly managed farms and forest
SMART GUESS non-denim products contain 20% - 100% environmentally preferred materials.
New technologies and processes reduce use of chemicals
SMART GUESS denim contains at least 20% environmentally preferred materials and uses production methods with reduced environmental impact.
At GUESS, we are working to improve our impact on the environment as we continue to build a culture of care throughout the business. As of 2021, we've recognized the following green-minded improvements:
We believe that a collaborative approach to addressing systemic social challenges within the industry will produce more sustainable solutions. Working with supplier partners to ensure international standards for human and labor rights are upheld, GUESS coordinates oversight and remediation efforts, and has developed supplier training and a program for worker empowerment.
GUESS and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) havea multi-year partnership aimed at increasing awareness and involvement in sustainable fashion. GUESS has sponsored 8 courses at FIDM, covering topics such as zero waste pattern making, innovative materials, responsible denim production, lifecycle assessment, and circular fashion.
As more sustainable fabrics and processing technologies emerge, we evaluate them for potential use by our suppliers. We also assess emerging approaches to make sure the fibers or fabrics they produce align with the well-known GUESS brand and our customers' high expectations for fit and fashion. In general, we are selective about the sustainable product initiatives we pursue so that we can embrace each one fully, apply it correctly, and include many partners to achieve the best result in our finished products.
Our aim is for all GUESS associates to feel comfortable and safe bringing their authentic selves to work and contributing fully to our shared success. To exemplify this belief as a priority, we've added diversity and inclusion to annual performance review, launched Diversity and Inclusion Council in Europe in late 2019 (expanding on the previously formed council in America), and continue to engage all associates in the celebration of our diverse organization.
The pandemic brought our hearts closer together while global precaution measures kept us safely apart. GUESS and GUESS Foundation partnered with organizations to donate funds, clothing, and personal protective equipment as well as inspire the public to take meaningful action during the COVID-19 crisis. As we look ahead to a post-pandemic world, we anticipate leveraging GUESS Cares to provide additional volunteering support that helps communities and economies recover and rebuild.
Additionally, GUESS has pledged a 5-year donation total of $1 Million to local and national Black Community Groups including the NAACP, The Umoja Center, and The World Stage. We produced a video for The World Stage to highlight its history and unique story as a racially inclusive LA jazz club which can be found on our YouTube channel in the Community Advocacy series.
Download the full report here.
While we recognize it is our corporate responsibility to achieve the sustainability targets we set for ourselves, it wouldn't be possible to do it alone. We are proud to partner with the following organizations, each paving the way for a more sustainable and community-based future:
GRI Community, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), Global Fashion Agenda, The Jeans Redesign, CDP, Science Based Targets Initiative, UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, Good360, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Inno Community Development Organization, Homeboy Industries, Textile Exchange, and The World Stage.
