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Burberry is the most sustainable luxury brand, according to Dow Jones index

The brand will debut its spring/summer 2019 collection at London Fashion Week on Monday

Olivia Petter
Friday 14 September 2018 13:10 BST
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(Getty Images for Burberry)

Burberry has been named the leading luxury brand in the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which tracks the performance of companies in terms of economic, environmental and social criteria.

The British heritage label has been included in the index’s ‘Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods’ sector for the fourth year running due to a series of eco-friendly initiatives such as the recent pledge to stop destroying unsold clothes, which it previously did as a way of preserving its exclusive image.

The brand also announced that it would no longer be using real fur in its products and will be phasing out existing products made from real fur.

These new measures come after Burberry launched a responsibility agenda in 2017, partnering with sustainable luxury company Elvis & Kresse to turn 120 tonnes of wasted leather offcuts into saleable products.

In 2017/18, the label obtained 48 per cent of its total energy from renewable sources, up by 24 per cent from the precious year.

Leanne Wood, Burberry’s chief people, strategy and corporate affairs officer, said that the brand was “extremely proud” to be the leading luxury brand in the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

“At Burberry, we are passionate about finding ways to be socially and environmentally responsible in everything we do, from investing in the communities at the heart of our business to creating innovative ways to tackle the most pressing issues faced by our industry,” she said.

“We will continue to expand these efforts as we work towards our responsibility goals to 2022 and beyond.”

The recent eco-friendly changes are just one component of Burberry’s comprehensive revamp under new artistic director Riccardo Tisci, who will showcase his debut collection for the brand at London Fashion Week on Monday 17 September.

If the recent releases are anything to go by - fans have so far been given a sneak peak at the label’s new logo and monogram - the traditional label, known for its trench coats and checks, is set for a significant sartorial revamp.

However, Burberry is not the only British brand at the vanguard of sustainability.

Earlier this month, Stella McCartney and Adidas announced the launch of the world's first vegan Stan Smith trainers, an environmentally and ethically-friendly alternative to the iconic tennis shoe, which will be made entirely from vegan, cruelty-free leather.

Meanwhile, making eco-friendly waves across the pond is US retailer Reformation, which are committed to making every item of clothing as sustainable as possible by making its clothes from eco fabrics like Tencel, deadstock materials and repurposed vintage clothing.

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