June 19, 2018
In a series of pieces, covering almost half of the June 17th Issue, Sunday Times Style highlighted an incredible breadth of issues, innovations, initiatives and good businesses that at some point in the (hopefully) not too distant future will become what all fashion and luxury brands simply are.
Journalist Fleur Britten first introduces the idea of the mega trend... sustainability isn't a fad, it's a global movement. Started by (among others) academics, activist brands and innovators - the values that underpin a sustainable business are now impacting the long term strategy of the largest brands in the world.
Key concepts like transparency, slow fashion, closing the loop and the minefield of different certification regimes are all covered and I have never seen so many genuine hero brands, where substance has always been way ahead of story, given this much attention.
We were really pleased to be mentioned along side our fellow fashion B Corps: Eileen Fisher, Patagonia, Reformation, Mud Jeans and Finisterre. We are all businesses that (every 2 years) have passed a very stringent set of tests covering everything from governance, workers, community, environment and products / consumers. No supply chain stone is left unturned and more importantly, in order to stay a B Corp each certified company has to change its constitution - it must "not be beholden to shareholders' short term interests, but the needs of people and the planet."
The piece starts with a question, Does Fashion Have a Heart? And although it gives no explicit answer, it is clear that from a small start of brands that do, things are really looking up!
June 14, 2018
Whether we are aware of it or not, every purchase choice we make has real value attached to it. It is a conscious (or subconscious) vote for how we want our world to be. What we choose to buy has an immense impact on how businesses treat people, materials, the planet and animals.
This week we caught up with Sandra Capponi and Gordon Renouf, the founders of Good On You. An app on a mission to create a world where people’s shopping choices drive businesses to be sustainable and fair.
Gordon: Sandra and I started Good On You because we believe that every consumer choice makes a difference. Our vision is a world where consumer choices drive businesses to be sustainable and fair. That’s only possible if consumers have comprehensive, easy to use information that helps them find products they love from brands they feel good buying from.
Sandra and I come from different backgrounds - I’ve worked in consumer advocacy for 25 years, mostly in charities and non-government organisations; I wanted to combine my commitment to strengthening consumer’s rights with my passion for justice and sustainability. Creating tools to empower consumers to act on their right to live sustainably and ethically was the obvious answer.
Sandra: I spent many years working in the corporate sector, in supply chain management and CSR, trying to push the social responsibility of businesses from within. But a few years ago I started to think about the responsibility I have as an individual, and the role that each of us can play to change things for the better, just by the everyday choices we make — including the apparel we buy. There’s a huge opportunity to use the power of shoppers to transform the industry for good.
Gordon: For me right now luxury means creating more time to get things done! But that’s pretty much impossible right? So, when it comes to products, I’m looking for something that is incredibly functional - “it just works” - has an appealing aesthetic or user interface, and one that has been made in a way that is truly sustainable.
Sandra: Lots of people think of fashion when they think of luxury. And that’s a good thing. Fashion should be something we value and cherish, not consume and discard absentmindedly. That’s definitely how it is for me - luxury means something is really unique and precious. It’s treasured for a long time, so sustainability is at the core. I’d love to get to a point where it’s normal for sustainability to be an integral part of how we define luxury.
Gordon: I used to work at Australia’s leading consumer organisation, CHOICE. We partnered with Amnesty International to study how companies in the toy industry were doing on human rights issues including child labour. There wasn’t much good news at that time however. That was certainly one of the experiences that lead me to help create Good On You.
Sandra: I was lucky enough to work on projects supporting Indigenous community development in Australia, something that I’m very passionate about. For some time I was based in a remote Aboriginal community, in the Kimberley. I learnt so much about one of the world’s oldest cultures that has had to overcome lots of troubles, but respects people and the land like nothing else. It cemented that I wanted to do something to preserve what’s really important and made me think really deeply about how I could use my business skills to do that.
Gordon: Many of the important social and environmental problems of the world today are created by our shopping choices. The kinds of clothes that are made, what they are made of, who makes them, is ultimately determined by what we as consumers are willing to buy. By empowering shoppers to choose products and brands that match their values we can create change. As Anne Lappe says, “every time we spend money we vote for the kind of world we want.” For most shoppers the ideal is to buy the stuff they need, but for no harm to be caused to people, planet and animals. By making it easy for consumers to find and choose better brands, we can influence what gets bought and ultimately impact the way our clothes are made.
“every time we spend money we vote for the kind of world we want.”
Globally, one in six people work in the apparel sector - 80 per cent of them are women. Labour abuses and factory disasters are common. A $2.5 trillion industry, fashion is also one of the most polluting in the world. It’s responsible for 24 per cent of the world’s pesticide use and is a major contributor to climate change and water pollution. These are big problems, but there are many people and organisations working on them. We believe that Good On You can help consumers be an integral part of the solution.
Sandra: The fashion industry simply can’t keep going on the way that is it. Exploitation of people and resources is not only unjust, but simply can’t be sustained. And more and more people are stopping to take notice.
I imagine a future where people everywhere are using Good On You as second nature to make shopping decisions based on the things that matter most to them. From discovering the latest trends and finding a bargain-buy, to making sure no women or children were exploited in the making of their clothes. And ultimately, I imagine a future where fashion brands are totally transparent about how they make their products while living up to the ethical standards that each of us expect. So yes, I believe the future of fashion can be, and has to be, sustainable!
"imagine a future where fashion brands are totally transparent about how they make their products while living up to the ethical standards that each of us expect."
Gordon: I’m a pretty simple dresser. For the last few years my Nudie Jeans have been my go to staple, but I’m not sure I’d call them a classic (yet!). I’ve been using a canvas briefcase from In Jirushi - a tiny Japanese brand - for about ten years, it’s simplicity and style really appeals to me.
Sandra: For my 18th birthday my mother gave me a ring that she’d refashioned from her original wedding band and a diamond earring where she’d lost the other pair. I’ve worn it every day ever since and I hope to pass it on one day to somebody else dear to me. It symbolises many things I really value - family, creativity, preservation, continuity, beauty. It’s so unique and precious to me and will definitely stand the test of time. The epitome of luxury.
Sandra: I’m from Melbourne and I’ve recently discovered new local labels like A.BCH and Lois Hazel. I absolutely love them for their simple yet beautifully crafted and elegant designs, and that are super transparent about how they made their clothes.
But the last thing I bought was actually a backpack from Swedish label Sanqvist. I’m currently working in Amsterdam getting ready to launch Good On You in Europe and decided I needed to do as the locals do and get around on a bike with my gear on my back! I found this bag in a gorgeous little store in Haarlemmerbuurt, called Restored, which got my attention for its sturdy yet refined look. It ticked all the functional boxes too, it was black with a laptop slip, side pockets and good overall size. But the label is what really drew me in - 100% organic cotton canvas sourced directly from the farmers, vegetable tanned leather flap for water protection, made under good working conditions for all its workers and suppliers, and it was called the ‘Alva’.
The owner of the store caught me looking and chimed in with “they’re really great bags”. He went to the back of the store and pulled out another bag he owed by the same label, but purchased years ago to show me how well it aged and actually looked better over time. To me there’s nothing better than a quality piece with a good story to tell. I’m now a big fan of getting around on a bike and plan on continuing the trend when I get back home. With my new favourite accessory, of course.
Gordon: It’s not just about making existing ethical fashion more accessible; it’s about creating the conditions where all fashion brands and their suppliers understand that they need to be (more) sustainable and ethical to keep their customers.
The first step is to empower more and more shoppers to find the sustainable and ethical brands that work for them on style, on function and on price. This helps build up the scale of the ethical sector, and creates new opportunities for new brands and products to emerge.
Second, we want shoppers to know that in the absence of a perfect fit between their style and functional needs on one hand and their ethics on the other, they can at least identify the brand that is closest to matching their values. Again, this rewards existing brands that have taken steps in the right direction and creates incentives for them and their to competitors to do more.
Research shows that more than 50% of shoppers will act on their pro-sustainability values, but only if it’s easy enough and the options they need are readily available.
Beyond what consumers can do, there’s a lot of work for the fashion industry to do to get serious about labour rights and living wages. We’ve seen some good cooperation between brands and unions on the Bangladesh Fire and Safety Accord and the ACT project on living wages - but this is really only scratching the surface. To make real change much more needs to be done. There’s some great work being done cooperatively on environmental issues - for example on measuring and addressing water impacts and pushing on the circular economy, but we need some of the more forward thinking large brands to go much further much faster on pre-competitive cooperation on labour rights issues.
Sandra: I wish we could break the cycle of fashion fast and the constant pressure that people, especially young women, feel to update their wardrobe with the latest ‘in’ thing. This is obviously really complex as the fashion industry is under a huge amount of pressure to grow and return profits. And when it comes women’s desire to buy more clothes to look and feel good, this is a deep-seated mindset that is difficult to shift.
But the premise of Good On You is that we all have the power to change the industry for the better with the shopping decisions we make. We all influence fashion brands to produce in a certain way when we buy something - from a pastel jumpsuit to a classic trench coat, we’re sending a clear message to the market. We also influence each other every day - whether we’re a celebrity, YouTube sensation or simply someone’s friend or big sister, we represent our style and values with the clothes we wear and the things we buy. The way I tackle this is to start with myself, to buy less, to cherish old possessions, to buy only new things that will last and add value, and to set an example for others to do the same.
Elvis & I always say ‘do more, be better’ and ‘think twice, buy once’. This week was a real pleasure catching up with the co-founders from Good On You; People that are actively trying to bring these messages to global audiences and turn it into the new norm. Good On You is launching in Europe this month, and we can’t wait to see the further positive impact it will surely bring!
June 08, 2018
We have a truly wonderful client in Singapore who has become more than an ambassador, she is now a co-creator.
Just before Christmas Stella purchased one of our Fire & Hide Post Bags, it is made from our signature yellow fire-hose and limited leather off-cuts rescued from the production of Burberry leather goods. We collected very little of this specific yellow, which meant the piece is a one of a kind.
In the ensuing months Stella sent us several lovely photos of her travels with this sunny yellow handbag while she was saving for something unique for her home. She chose to design an original Elvis & Kresse leather rug, using our customisation tool. This allowed her to choose both the perfect size and colour and also embed her own design.
The idea for the piece came to her from a meditation session. Two subtle hearts, weaving themselves together, overlapping and intertwined.
She wanted to use all of the colours we currently work with for the leather rug collection, and to ensure that they worked well together. From a practical perspective, she also wanted a multi-purpose piece that could achieve many objectives in her Singapore flat, it needed to be a hallway runner, a yoga mat and also a rug to fit in front of a two meter long sofa.
We were so pleased to meet Stella in May, when she came to Tonge Mill to see first hand how her custom leather rug was assembled and to meditate in our space. We eagerly await the results of her next inspiration.
June 07, 2018
A few weeks ago I was at the Women’s Forum in Canada and got to speak with a fantastic group of panelists. Our topic? Is Green the New Gold?
How refreshing to discover, in our brief 30 minutes before going on stage, that all of us wanted to debate the title of our session. Why are we still questioning the obvious supremacy of Green? Without a planet, there are no people. I am confused by the idea that we ever, post Silent Spring, pursued anything other than how to live in harmony with our home, and of course, each other.
The discussion, however, was definitely on the track that we all should be. We were all agreed. Green is the only Gold we’ve got. As a chief goal of the Women’s Forum is to inform and ‘infect’ the G7 meetings that follow in the same locations, I really hope that this message cuts through the noise. This is the only planet we’ve got.
My fantastic co-panelists included Danielle Azoulay, Head of CSR & Sustainability, L'Oreal USA, Carmina Mancenon, founder of Stitch Tomorrow, Karla Martinez, Editor in Chief, Vogue Mexico and Kendra Pierre-Louis from the New York Times.
We covered a lot of ground, the need for systemic change, how important it is to work through all of the issues from inception right through the supply chain to consumer and end-of-life (or hopefully next life), the role of the media as educator and invigorator. It was a celebration of initiatives that are working, strategies for change, and revolutionary environmental ideas. We don’t need more proof that the right ideas, technologies, and strategies exist… we just need them to spread and scale much more quickly.
May 15, 2018
I’m a fashion journalist and lecturer and two years ago I founded The Fashion Debates, a series of talks around ethical issues affecting the fashion industry. Our past topics have included the environmental impact of fashion, vegan fashion, race discrimination in the industry, and the prevalence of unpaid work and internships.
I think the definition of luxury is changing all the time as what we place value on changes and I’m excited to see the shift that is happening in sustainability going from ‘dowdy’ to ‘desirable’. For me, objects that have a meaningful story behind them are the things that get my heart racing. Whether that’s a very personal story like a dress I own that was my grandma’s from the 60s, or if that’s the story of a group of women refugees making something beautiful out of their pain. The items themselves could be easily replicated, but the story adds something beyond aesthetics.
I’m much happier spreading the word about other people’s environmentally and socially positive projects! I’m very jealous of creative people. That’s why I work in fashion, because I think the people who work in it are just incredible. If you want to do something with a positive impact, you have to look at what skills you have and what your role can feasibly be. I’m a communicator so I write about the amazing sustainable fashion brands I love, I give them a platform to speak about it through The Fashion Debates, and I encourage my students to engage with sustainability. For me, it’s not so much ‘projects’ but a continuous thread through all of my work.
Absolutely. Quite simply because it has to be or there is no future at all. There’s still a really long way to go but when you think about the rise in consumer awareness of the issue, the conversation being addressed in major fashion brands and in governments around the world, the depletion of resources, the growth of sustainably run brands, the media hype around the urgency to save our planet, the investment in technology that could make the industry more sustainable, how could the future not be sustainable?
I adore vintage clothing so actually quite a large percentage of my wardrobe is older than me! However, one particular item of clothing that springs to mind is a pair of high street jeans that I bought from a second-hand clothing store when I was 14. They have this crazy turquoise beading pattern and cut-out shapes up the entire length of the leg. Many would argue that isn’t exactly what you’d call a ‘classic’ but I have worn them at every age and, actually, they’ve never been particularly ‘fashionable’, but they always get compliments every time I wear them.
Probably the last socially sustainable thing I bought would be fairtrade tea! Clipper is my favourite brand, it’s great quality and fits with my personal values as well as personal tastes (earl grey!).
Oh boy, big question! I think I would like to see a shift in focus on brands existing just to make money, to considering what else brands can do. I think that would resolve an awful lot of issues. Of course, they still need to make money, that’s essential to survival, but I’d like to see brands measured by investors in how many people they give good quality jobs to, what their designs contribute to culture and the global conversation, what innovations they’ve spearheaded, what causes they use their influence to champion, and what they do to better their industry and move it forward. I can’t think of anything more boring than the aim after turning over £10m being to turn over £50m!
*Photo of Olivia by JC Candanedo, Photo of Fashion Debates by Jordan Wharf Young.
May 11, 2018
This past weekend BLOX opened in Copenhagen and it was a real pleasure to be invited for the launch. It is an ambitious building, with a prominent position on the harbour front, and will be the home of Danish design, architecture and urban development.
I arrived in time to hear acclaimed artist, Olafur Eliasson, discuss his contribution. I met Olafur in 2009, at a Hopenhagen event at the Louisiana Museum. His piece then, a car made of ice that melted if a lot of people (and their heat) shared its space, had similarities with this current installation, blank screens that depend on visitors to pass in front of lights, populating the screens and creating the work. He explained it simply, ‘You have to trust that people will show up’. I loved listening to his thoughts; he scoffed at celebrating planting 2000 trees when we need to plant billions, lamented the McKinseyfication of civic society and pleaded that we nurture our ownership of the commons. What we don’t collectively value we will surely lose. We have to show up. Love it.
Then came a panel hosted by my new friend, Mette Laursen - fantastic human, master net-worker and global ambassador of BLOX. It began with Philippe Benjamin Skow on the violin. I can’t describe something that awesome. Then we heard from Bruce Katz, about how we need to accelerate the flow of solutions in a global urban exchange. IBM Watson’s, Helle Valentin spoke of their AI charter, and how transparency might be the new security. Dr. Joseph Allen drew our attention to the public health issues associated with the environment where we spend 90% of our time - the buildings we live and work in. And finally Indy Johar, who I met in London just weeks ago. Indy’s comments focused the mind, a positive cohesive future depends on unlocking the full capacity of all human beings. We all need to release our full embodied potential and humanity in order to have a positive, sustainable future.
I loved the way this panel worked, with questions and replies from pre-engaged members of the audience. Point and counterpoint, ideas and leaps. An amazing multi-storey party ensued, and unfortunately an early departure for me, back to London.
What makes this space so interesting is what it has been designed to achieve. I hope that I have this right, but what I experienced was a place for dialogue. The open fluid spaces and creative and cultural inhabitants - like The Danish Design Centre, the BloxHub co-working space, the terraces, indoor amphitheatre and installation rooms - invite and will foster idea sharing and collaboration. The light and intention of the building made me believe that it will succeed. It is a wonderful place to debate and plan how to make the world better for everyone.
Looking forward to returning to such a joyful, inspiring place.
May 09, 2018
Last week we were happy to host Yvette Austin, BBC South East's environmental correspondent. As you can imagine, we spent most of the day explaining all our work while touring our Tonge Mill workshop.
Our fantastic discussion was distilled down to a three minute segment for the evening news and the one minute piece you can watch below.
We can't thank Yvette enough for including us in her wider War on Rubbish and are really enjoying all of the conversations that this has sparked with our local community, our stakeholders and whole new online audiences.
May 01, 2018
Last week was incredible. Why? I spent it in Singapore with a truly exceptional group of people, all committed to aiding and celebrating the efforts and successes of 18 impact driven entrepreneurs.
The 2018 Finalists
The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards (CWIA) are hard to sum up. On the surface it is an awards program that selects 6 Laureates each year from a final group of 18 candidates. All of the candidates are women, and all have been through several layers of selection before the final week in Singapore. This year there were close to 3000 initial contenders. Making it to the finals is a fantastic achievement; every finalist receives €30,000.00 and the Laureates win €100,000.00.
But what is truly unique about these awards? What makes the entrepreneurs stand out? They are all running businesses that focus on solving social or environmental problems. Impact is in their DNA. When these businesses succeed, the world gets better. You can read all about the 2018 cohort here.
But lets look below the surface. This is so much more than an Award. I was the Laureate for Europe in 2011, and this year returned to serve on the European jury. I can say I have a detailed knowledge of what the CWIA are from both sides of the equation.
Here is a flashback to 2011...
The CWIA have built a powerful network. The commitment from Cartier and its partners, INSEAD and McKinsey, is extensive. The finalists have access to mentoring from within this group and from the jury members (after the awards of course!). Following our win in 2011, we have been involved in CWIA related events each year, which means our network has grown with the competition.
By focusing on Impact driven businesses it follows that the network is itself focused. The finalists and Laureates share similar challenges and experiences. We are in a great position to empathise and support each other. The loneliness that can often accompany entrepreneurship is alleviated by this powerful, open, giving community.
This is also about scale. Beyond their individual mentoring, each finalist is offered a place on the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship 6-Day Executive Programme (ISEP). Everyone involved wants to help these businesses thrive and thrive they have. Last year was the 10th anniversary of the awards, and Cartier commissioned a report to understand their impact. 80% of the Finalists' businesses are still running and together they have created over 6000 jobs. There is no question that the profile, the mentoring, the prize and the network have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of these businesses.
If I could enter again, I would, but for now I am truly honoured to serve on the jury. The jury are all volunteers, and all busy leaders in their own field. They all give over a week of their time to this initiative because they want to support female founders and problem solvers. The CWIA gives us, the Jury, an incredible opportunity to give back and to keep our fingers on the pulse of global social enterprise.
The 2018 European Finalists with their Jury
In establishing and growing this amazing program Cartier has made a generous and successful commitment to truly ground-breaking businesses and to cherishing the women who run them.
April 22, 2018
This weekend we were featured in the Financial Times How To Spend It feature magazine on interiors.
Flipping through the pages, it was impossible to miss the quality, history and craftsmanship behind some of the pieces. It is a real honour to be included. One interesting note, we were among three brands featured for being 'good', And we wondered, why are there only three?
This isn't fashion, people don't refresh sofas or rugs like they do their clothing, not yet, thank goodness, so why shouldn't there be more ethical, sustainable brands on show? These are 'keepers', these are the pieces that are literally 'part of the furniture', they last for decades, if not centuries... The home is one place where buying good should be a lot easier as it should be easier to consider the investment?
Our rugs are made from thousands of pieces of hand-cut, hand-woven leather. We do offer them in standard colours and sizes but try our 'customisation' app and design your own. Have some fun!
By their very nature and design, these rugs can be remade and repaired over time. They help us to employ apprentices in Kent, save thousands of kilos of leather and 50% of the profits will go to renewable energy projects.
Our rugs are not just amazing to have in your home, they create an amazing legacy of goodness. Thank you to Tim Auld for featuring us, and keep your eyes peeled in the future for this regular item called For Goodness' Sake.
April 10, 2018
Over the years we have met some incredible people who are all working to make the world better, in many different ways, and we wanted to find out their thoughts on our industry. Why? Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world...
This week we took some time to talk to New York based Laura Baross, the founder of Design with Care. An interior design platform that prioritises sustainably sourced materials and finishes, that works exclusively with environmentally and socially conscious design brands.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
I was born and raised surrounded by art. After architectural studies my path led to Interior Design. Before graduating I started to become more conscious about my next steps and understood the impact my work will have on the planet and future generations. Therefore I started an eco-friendly design platform called DESIGN with CARE. We put emphasis on sourcing exclusively from eco-friendly vendors and introduce only sustainable finishes to the spaces we design.
2. Everyone has an unexpected luxury - or a different way of defining luxury. What does luxury mean to you? What do you consider to be a luxury that others might not?
I always put functionality first. Even an object that is less aesthetically pleasing at first sight with an astonishing story behind it becomes beautiful to me. Same applies when it comes to luxury. Purposeful, sustainably made and great quality products that last long, is what defines luxury in my mind.
3. What is the most environmentally or socially positive project you have ever worked on?
One of the most conscious projects I worked on is definitely The Package Free Shop. It is the first Zero Waste lifestyle store in New York. The founder, Lauren Singer had an idea to bring everything that individuals need to transition to a low waste lifestyle under one roof. The initial pop-up was designed to educate customers about their everyday habits and offer them tools that can help them keep life less trashy. It functioned both as a market place and an informative gallery space with sketches on the walls, mimicking real life situations.
The space was designed within the same low waste guidelines. Everything was handmade, up-cycled and custom-built by Brooklyn artisans. We used certified wood, sourced certain elements from The Big Reuse and kept the aesthetics minimal and simple.
4. Do you think the future of interiors is sustainable? Why? Why not?
Let’s assume in all the production they use raw materials that come only from sustainable sources or reuse post-consumer recycled materials. Companies manage to lower the waste that comes with shipping and delivering and interior designers start incorporating only eco-friendly materials in projects. It doesn’t sound too futuristic or unmanageable right? This is exactly what we do at D\\’C We’re hoping to keep pushing the sustainability standards of the current market and motivate more companies to switch to greener manufacturing.
5. Do you have a piece of clothing, furniture, or an accessory that you have had forever - a completely indispensable classic?
When my Mom was my age she played in a band and had the coolest clothes in town. Over the years she went through minimizing her wardrobe multiple times, but luckily kept the best pieces for me. Her high rise jeans and a vintage biker jacket are definitely my favourite to wear.
6. Tell us about the last thing you bought which would be considered a socially or environmentally sustainable. Why did you choose it?
It was an outdoor bistro table that I purchased for one of my projects at a Brooklyn thrift shop. I love shopping vintage and second hand furniture in good conditions, because it is one of the most sustainable ways to find what we need without exhausting new resources.
7. If you could make one change in your own industry, to make it better, what would that be and how would you tackle it?
I would love to see biodegradable plastic wraps and compostable plastic bags in our industry. Renovations and furniture handling come with a lot of mess. We wrap products to protect them during shipping and cover up existing interior surfaces to avoid any damage. After the work is done all these non-recyclable plastic coverings are sent to landfills. If we had less harmful ways to keep the finishes clean without sacrificing our environment that would be very helpful.
April 03, 2018
For the past several years Kresse has given an annual lecture to the One Planet MBA class at Exeter University. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet the new cohort of students who are keen to simultaneously advance their careers while learning how this can be done for the benefit of planet and people, as opposed to at their expense.
It is a diverse, engaged and talented group. Their detailed, challenging questions are a joy to respond to and reflect incredibly well on the One Planet program. We love that they share our values, here is how they express them:
"business success and sustainability go hand in hand. As we work with entrepreneurs, again and again we find a direct link between meeting customer needs and achieving positive environmental and social impacts. The best entrepreneurs take this a step further; they have a holistic and borderless view of business; they are motivated by the urgency of addressing big challenges and engage with the technologies and networks that make innovation possible."
The story of Elvis & Kresse gets richer with each passing year, as we grow, as we push the boundaries of what we are capable of doing and as we extend our commitment to problem solving to yet more unwanted or underloved materials. Preparing these lectures is a fantastic opportunity to review, challenge and plan the year ahead.
Thank you Exeter and your borderless view of business! Until next Spring...
March 23, 2018
This wasn't a commission, this became a really wonderful set of Christmas presents for our entire family. We are sharing this story because we hope it gives you the idea that, once anything has been created and has lived their first full life, materials have a lot more to give before they are pulped, down-cycled, landfilled or incinterated.
When we shared this video with Kresse's brother, the hero of this story, his comments were as follows, 'if this doesn't make people recycle, nothing will.' We hope it works.
Love,
Elvis & Kresse