Apparel Online India Magazine February 1st Issue 2019 | Page 18

SUSTAINABILITY HAVE YOUR SAY BREAKING NEWS Tell us your news by emailing at [email protected] To read the latest sustainability news, go to https://apparelresources.com/business-news/sustainability/  AIDER: A ray of hope for garment workers of Delhi; pledges to enhance its efforts AIDER, a Delhi-based pro-Industry NGO, which works for the welfare of home-based workers in the garment industry, celebrated its 10th annual day recently. Representatives from apparel export houses, international brands, senior officials from various Government departments were present during the event. Children of garment workers, who are being benefited from AIDER, presented a skit on gender equality, besides other cultural performances. HKL Magu, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), appreciated the efforts of AIDER and said, “Daycare centres of AIDER are really supportive towards the garment workers of Delhi-NCR.” Vikram Pandita, Asia Head, Next Plc (UK) was of the view that the passion AIDER team has for the garment industry is really appreciable. “The commitment of AIDER team is one HKL Magu, Chairman, AEPC lighting the lamp; Virender K Jha, Founder, AIDER NGO is also seen on the extreme right of the main reasons for our support to them.” Ranjeeb Sarma, Senior Manager, Compliance, CSR and Plan A, Marks & Spencer; Raphel Jose, Ethical Trading Manager– India Region at Superdry; and Chandrima Chatterjee, Advisor, AEPC were felicitated for their efforts regarding gender equality, ethical trade and support to the garment industry respectively. Many apparel exporters like Amit Gupta, Partner, Pearl Apparels; Rahul Goenka, Director, Kohinoor International, and Arvind Rai, Director, Modelama Exports, besides Justice (Retired) Gyan Vikram Pandita, Asia Head, Next Plc (UK) addressing the event Sudha Mishra; Karan Singh Tanwar, Vice Chairman, New Delhi Municipal Corporation also addressed the event. “We will continue our efforts to support the garment industry. In future, we will increase our initiatives,” said Virender K Jha, Founder, AIDER NGO. Following H&M and Nike, ASOS and PVH Corporation join Global Fashion Agenda ASOS and PVH Corp are the two latest apparel companies to become strategic partners of the Global Fashion Agenda so as to provide expert opinion to shape the sustainability goals. Earlier brands like H&M and Nike joined the organisation as strategic partners in order to improve the sustainability in the fashion industry. “With the addition of ASOS and PVH, our strategic partner group has truly come 18 Apparel Online India | full circle. We are excited to have industry-leading representatives from distinct segments of the fashion industry,” said Eva Kruse, CEO and President, Global Fashion Agenda. Kruse further mentioned that PVH was one of the largest apparel firms in the world and from decades, it has been setting trends by influencing the consumer behaviour as well as embedding sustainability into its business practices. PVH’s brands include Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. It is worth noting that in 1991, it was among the first companies to adopt a code of conduct on human rights and the environment. The retailer has adopted clean water and renewable energy goals and also aims to reduce the negative effects of chemicals and carbon emissions. FEBRUARY 1-15, 2019 | www.apparelresources.com On the other hand ASOS, being one of the most visited clothing sites in the world with around 18.4 million active customers, has made several commitments towards sustainability by banning the use of mohair, silk, cashmere and feathers in its garments. Moreover the brand has partnered with the London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainable Fashion on a circular design course for its entire design staff.