GUESS Sustainability
This is our World. This is our Future.
Sustainability Report 2020-2021 Highlights
The report covers important topics for GUESS: Operating with Integrity, Empowering Our People, and Protecting the Environment. In the last two years, GUESS has accomplished the following:
- Increased our GUESS Eco denim offerings by 18%
- Achieved gender pay parity at our U.S. Headquarters and Retail operations
- Set ambitious goals to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and supply chain emissions by 30% by 2030
- Completed a rigorous review of sustainability data by third-party assurance provider KPMG
Rooted in our heritage but fueled by a new energy.
We're creating iconic GUESS fashion with a focus on sustainability - made by a family of empowered people, with minimal waste.
Upholding the same GUESS DNA: this is our world.
But we are dreaming bigger: this is our future.
The values of VISION GUESS support our brand's evolution, our people's livelihoods, and a focused concern towards making a positive impact in and beyond the communities and environments we operate in. Read more about VISION GUESS values below.
Clear About Real Change
We are making real, bold changes in sustainability at GUESS, with a commitment to integrity in how we communicate our progress.
Alive with Diverse Voices and Ideas
We welcome everyone everywhere - diversity makes us GUESS, so we want to ensure every voice, across the globe, has a place in our workforce and our communications
Connected with Our Suppliers
We are everyone in our supply chain - we are all part of GUESS. We work with our global partners on training and supporting best-in-class practices at all levels.
Our World
Our Future
Creating with Sustainable Materials
We will continue to use more organic, recycled, and responsibly sourced materials. GUESS is working to ensure that all plastic-based materials are recycled.
Optimizing Fashion with Minimal Waste
We are introducing new product designs and ideas around how we make and sell, to be more sustainable and waste less, reimagining fashion.
Part of the Climate Solution
We take the climate crisis seriously and have set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions at GUESS and in our supply chain.
GUESS Eco products are made with environmentally conscious materials and manufacturing processes. Over 20% of our denim is GUESS Eco, and we are rapidly increasing within the next few years so that most of our denim will follow the GUESS Eco guidelines.
Water Saving
Less water used in the denim wash process during production
30% minimum water savings per denim garment in our collection.
Sustainably Sourced
Materials from responsibly managed farms and forest
GUESS Eco non-denim products contain 20% - 100% environmentally preferred materials.
Eco-conscious
New technologies and processes reduce use of chemicals
GUESS Eco denim contains at least 20% environmentally preferred materials and uses production methods with reduced environmental impact.
Greening Our Operations
At GUESS, we are working to improve our impact on the environment as we continue to build a culture of care throughout the business. As of 2021, we've recognized the following green-minded improvements:
- 18% reduction in GHG emissions from our direct operations on a per-square-foot basis
- Over 50+ stores in North America and Europe have been retrofitted or opened with LED lighting systems
- All packaging transitioning to be recyclable or made of recycled materials
- At our global headquarters in Los Angeles, we offer complimentary electric vehicle charging stations for associates, Rideshare incentives, and continue to implement our full-scale recycling program
Clear About Real Change
Our progress since our first sustainability plan launched in 2018 is detailed in our 2021 Sustainability Report VISION GUESS. We proudly stand by the results presented in the report as they were verified using third-party reasonable assurance, making us the first in fashion to scrutinize our sustainability reporting at such a high level.
Our World, Our Brand
Corporate Social Responsibility
We believe that a collaborative approach to addressing systemic social challenges within the industry will produce more sustainable solutions. Working with supplier partners to ensure international standards for human and labor rights are upheld, GUESS coordinates oversight and remediation efforts, and has developed supplier training and a program for worker empowerment.
Diversity and Inclusion Council
Our aim is for all GUESS associates to feel comfortable and safe bringing their authentic selves to work and contributing fully to our shared success. To exemplify this belief as a priority, we've added diversity and inclusion to annual performance review, launched Diversity and Inclusion Council in Europe in late 2019 (expanding on the previously formed council in America), and continue to engage all associates in the celebration of our diverse organization.
Committed to the Future of Eco-Fashion
GUESS and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) havea multi-year partnership aimed at increasing awareness and involvement in sustainable fashion. GUESS has sponsored 8 courses at FIDM, covering topics such as zero waste pattern making, innovative materials, responsible denim production, lifecycle assessment, and circular fashion.
As more sustainable fabrics and processing technologies emerge, we evaluate them for potential use by our suppliers. We also assess emerging approaches to make sure the fibers or fabrics they produce align with the well-known GUESS brand and our customers' high expectations for fit and fashion. In general, we are selective about the sustainable product initiatives we pursue so that we can embrace each one fully, apply it correctly, and include many partners to achieve the best result in our finished products.
Supporting Our Communities
The pandemic brought our hearts closer together while global precaution measures kept us safely apart. GUESS and GUESS Foundation partnered with organizations to donate funds, clothing, and personal protective equipment as well as inspire the public to take meaningful action during the COVID-19 crisis. As we look ahead to a post-pandemic world, we anticipate leveraging GUESS Cares to provide additional volunteering support that helps communities and economies recover and rebuild.
Additionally, GUESS has pledged a 5-year donation total of $1 Million to local and national Black Community Groups including the NAACP, The Umoja Center, and The World Stage. We produced a video for The World Stage to highlight its history and unique story as a racially inclusive LA jazz club which can be found on our YouTube channel in the Community Advocacy series.
Download the full report here.
Community Partners
While we recognize it is our corporate responsibility to achieve the sustainability targets we set for ourselves, it wouldn't be possible to do it alone. We are proud to partner with the following organizations, each paving the way for a more sustainable and community-based future:
GRI Community, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), Global Fashion Agenda, The Jeans Redesign, CDP, Science Based Targets Initiative, UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, Good360, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Inno Community Development Organization, Homeboy Industries, Textile Exchange, and The World Stage.