Katharine Hamnett Speech

We caught Katharine Hamnett on film talking at a recent Ethical Expo... Who's to blame for the lack of interest in unethical design in high fashion?

by Offset Warehouse (videos)

8:19

Highlights of Katharine's speech:

"Everybody thinks it's the designers fault that a brand is sustainable, actually it's down to the head of finance and the CEO. So why isn't high fashion engaging in sustainability? Because people are idiots... and in their cocoons in lala land! They don't understand that 80% of M&S consumers and people that shop at Luis Vuitton, are actually concerned with corporate social responsibility and sustainbility, fairtrade, organic & not destroying the planet, so i think high fashion has to wake up and get with the program!

"The latest research shows sustainable isn't a passing fad, its not not a trend. You can be the biggest bastard in the world, but the only way to save your company is to be sustainable, so they'd better get with the program!

"There is a huge siege and what's fascinating is that the industry is being completely consumer driven. Brands are perceived on their reputation, so the future of high fashion is that ... it does cost you more.

"High fashion brand actually have a slack in their margins where they can absorb it - They can afford to do that. The younger gen is even more obsessed with sustainability and than we are.

"This what we have to do, or die"