Stories of Fashion, Textiles, and Place: Evolving Sustainable Supply Chains

Stories of Fashion, Textiles, and Place follows the journeys of five companies with evolving sustainable supply chains in the fashion and textile industry. Each of the profiled companies are committed to advancing cultural traditions of a particular place. They value, honor, and are all deeply rooted in the geography, culture, and people of a specific location and their success is attributable to their connection to that place. With this shared value, their unique stories highlight the conditions, risks, strategies, and successes in creating and maintaining sustainable supply chains for ready-to-wear and home fashions. The companies include: -Imperial Stock Ranch and Shaniko Wool Company – Oregon, USA -Angela Damman Yucatán – Yucatán, Mexico -Tonlé – Phnom Penh, Cambodia -Indigenous Designs – Highlands, Peru -Harris Tweed® – Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK With a focus on economic, social, environmental, and cultural sustainability, and the connection between textiles and place, Burns and Carver offer personal and insightful narratives of companies addressing the challenges facing today’s global fashion industry.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1. Sustainable Supply Chains in the Global Fashion Industry Creating Value and Reflecting Values The Value of Place Sustainable Supply Chains Environmental Sustainability Social and Cultural Sustainability Capacity Building and Employee Empowerment Sustainable Communities Cultural Traditions Economic Sustainability Supply Chain Traceability, Assurance, and Transparency Certifications, Industry Associations, and Partnerships Industry Initiatives, Associations, and Partnerships Learning through Narratives References and Resources 2. Imperial Stock Ranch and Shaniko Wool Company: Natural Adaptations Lambing Season Changing a Mindset: Imperial Stock Ranch, Oregon, USA Starting a Yarn Business: Converting Sunlight Energy From Yarn to Finished Items Ready-to-Wear: Imperial Collection by Anna Cohen Sustainable Bridges: East and West, Rural and Urban The Business Naturally Adapts “The Call” The Power of Purpose beyond Profit Expanding Markets Traceability and Certification A Sense of Place References and Resources 3. Angela Damman Yucatán: Advancing Cultural Traditions A Henequén Bag The Yucatán Peninsula Growing Up in Minnesota, USA Moving to Yucatán Sustainable Agriculture: Cultivating and Processing the Fiber Processing the Fiber: Revitalizing an Industry Shredding, Drying, Combing Dyeing Fibers Revitalizing the Fiber Processing Industry Weaving and Product Development: Advancing Cultural Traditions Facilitating Artisan Groups A New Generation of Weavers Markets and Retailing Cultural Sustainability: Identity, Community, and Purpose References and Resources 4. Tonlé The Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers Growing Up The Dichotomy of Cambodian Textiles A Reluctant Businesswoman Transition and Rebranding Zero-waste Model The Artisan Workshop Model The Impact and the Message of Tonlé Today and Tomorrow References and Resources 5. Indigenous Designs: Climbing a Mountain Where Have You Been, My Friend? A Brand Is Born Climbing a Mountain Beyond Ecuador The Artisan Co-op Model Economic Sustainability: Financial Strategies Networks, Organizations, and Certifications Documenting and Communicating Impact Next Steps: Scaling an Artisan Ownership Model References and Resources 6. Harris Tweed®: Às an ghearann tha an t-aodach a’ tighinn / From the Land Comes the Cloth Clò Mòr History of the Harris Tweed Industry Harris Tweed Act 1993 and the Harris Tweed Authority Structure and Supply Chain of Harris Tweed Crofting and Wool Production Processing Wool: The Foundation of Harris Tweed Harris Tweed Mills Washing and Dyeing Wool Blending, Carding, and Spinning Wool Preparing the Warp Textile Design Weaving Harris Tweed Harris Tweed Weavers The Weaving Process Finishing and Inspecting Harris Tweed Marketing Harris Tweed: Power of the Orb Marketing Harris Tweed Markets for Harris Tweed: Tradition and Evolution Using the Harris Tweed Label on Finished Products Protecting the Orb From the People Comes the Cloth References and Resources 7. Creating and Reflecting Values through Sustainable Supply Chains The Value of Place in Sustainable Supply Chains The Value of People in Sustainable Supply Chains The Value of Product in Sustainable Supply Chains Characteristics of the Founders, CEO, Partners, and Artisans References and Resources Epilogue and Recommended Reading