The Year in Review at Denim Privé

This year has been a series of highs and lows for the world and for the Denim Privé team, but despite all that we are eager to look back and see how much we’ve grown and challenged ourselves as a company. We’ve had the opportunity to present at shows, to collaborate with other denim experts and brands, to converse with the denim community both in the podcast and in-person, and to implement new and updated technologies and methods into our processes.

Denim Privé’s second ever sustainability report was released with new sections, updated data, and a holistic approach: 2022 Sustainability Report

In this year’s report Denim Privé streamlined the data so that it could be more easily understood, everything from double checking logical units of measurement to giving context to the data. We took on an even more holistic approach and tried to dig into areas of data that we didn’t get a chance to last year. Updating the materiality matrix for the slight shifts in our most pressing sustainability issues (page 28). We opened up discussion about how we can grow in our sustainable energy by going beyond sharing the data of energy breakdown by different methods but also by sustainable versus traditional methods (page 48). Looking at GHG emissions per piece we see not just our baseline of when we started in 2018, but also where our emissions have been every year since and where our goals lie for the years to come (page 52). This is the kind of intentional, birds eye view we want to share as well as the granular details of where we are and where we are tracking towards that Denim Privé tries to bring through in everything we do. The chemical management system as seen by legislative changes is a great peak at how the outside world affects the inside world of denim production (page 88). The opportunity to share the small and big wins we hope is motivating not just for us but for anyone who chooses to read. There was an increase of participants in our Lifelong Learning Initiative, from 20 in 2021 to 30 in 2022 (page 114). This program is geared towards helping female garment workers further their education to advance their career and skills. Every person counts and all our efforts whether captured in the data or in the words we share make up who we are as a company. 

Denim Privé and Kassim Denim presented at shows:

Denim Privé and Kassim Denim had the pleasure of having booths at various big shows this year. We loved the atmosphere at both and really look forward to presenting what we’ve been working on to current and prospective brands. 

1. Kingpins New York City in 2023
2. Kingpins Amsterdam in 2023
3. Magic Show New York City in 2023
4. Denim Premiere Vision Berlin in 2023 (Kassim only)
5. Denim Premiere Vision Milan in 2023 (Kassim only)
6. Morocco Style Textile in Casablanca 2023 (Kassim only)

Collaborations:

We are keenly aware of Denim Privé’s role in the fashion industry and that means we can’t do it all and we can’t do it on our own. Collaborations extend the reach of the good work the denim community is doing and shows how we all have a part to play. 

1. Take a look at the partnerships in the Sustainability Report on page 119
2. Sashiko Denim at Denim Privé’s booth in October 2023. We talked about it in our Kingpins review here: Denim Privé and Kassim Denim’s Experience at Kingpins 2023 Amsterdam: A Sustainable Denim Journey

Implemented Innovations:

We wouldn’t be producers if we didn’t share about the exciting new directions fabric and washing innovations are taking us. Often these innovations are coming from collaborations and partnerships between Kassim Denim and others. Check them out.

1. Eco Grit Eco Grit is a washing innovation; it is an alternative to stones that uses cork granules covered with special fabric. Eco Grit gives a more consistent look to the fabrics than stones do and it can be reused over 100 times. It is also biodegradable and creates zero slurry.
2. Tex2TexKassim Denim has joined forces with Earth Protex to use their Tex2Tex initiative. Tex2Tex uses an under-utilised waste stream: post-industrial textile waste. 
3. Matte Tencel by TencelTencel Matte retains all the sustainable qualities of Tencel, sourced from natural raw materials, particularly wood. What sets it apart is its matte finish, countering the traditional shiny look often associated with indigo-dyed denim. This durable, breathable, and biodegradable material adds a subtler style to denim products. It's the perfect choice for those who appreciate eco-friendliness without compromising on aesthetics.

Over 20 episodes released, and even more recorded, of Sustainability Changemakers in Fashion podcast:

Denim Privé is contributing to a new wave in fashion that centres on sharing the wealth of knowledge so that we can all get better and save the planet. This is why we seek out conversations with the people leading the charge whether a brand leader, a producer, a designer, or a consultant, everyone has a part to play. Please reach out to us if you want to join the conversation or if you think we should talk to someone you’ve noticed as an exciting sustainability changemaker. Check out the vast topics and people we’ve spoken to this year below.

1. Cracking the Supply Chain Code with Ani Wells
2. James Veenhoff talks the Big Two: Circularity and Consumers
3. How to Spot Greenwashing and Stay on Trend with designer Leanne Jae
4. Behind the Scenes of Fashion Producers with designer Leanne Jae
5. Designer and Education Mohsin Sajid has a dream to become Petrochemical-free
6. Raw Denim Takes Center Stage with Indigo Invitational Creator and Writer Bryan Szabo
7. Technology Takes Sustainable Fashion to 100% with Brand Leader of Unspun Annika Visser
8. What a Sustainable Company Looks like from the Top, chat with Denim Privé’s Found and Creative Director Arsal Kassim
9. Deep into the Art of Dying with Niki Tsukamoto from Lookout and Wonderland
10. Transforming Tom Tailor from Within with Juliane Nowakowski
11. How Trend Forecasting is Taking on Sustainability with Shannon Reddy
12. Amma Aburam, from Fast Fashion to Sustainability Advocate
13. Chats with Amma Aburam about Ghana’s Relationship and Solutions to Sustainability Issues
14. Growing Indigo Linen Jeans with Justine from Northern England Fibreshed
15. Closing the Loop with Natural Dyes with Diogo Aguiar from Minority Denim
16. Denim Sculpting and Collage with Anna Weber from ArtworksxDenim
17. The Laundering Revolution with Alberto Lucchin from Tonello
18. Getting the Full Supply Chain, digitally and physically traced with CMO Kara Hurry from FibreTrace 
19. The Power of Hemp in Fabric and Garment Manufacturing with Denim Consultant Zennure Danisman
20. What’s the deal with Certifications and Living Wage Payments?

Looking Back Helps us Look Ahead

It’s good to see how much can be accomplished in a year, it’s also good to share with others about what a company is choosing to focus on internally in their operations and externally in what they are eager to share. We hope that we find new collaborations, maintain successful partnerships, and pursue opportunities to find like-minded people and brands to continue the sustainability journey. Stay tuned for what we have in store for the year 2023!