Gucci is going greener.
On Monday, just ahead of World Environment Day Tuesday, the Italian luxury house launched Gucci Equilibrium, an online portal for connecting “people, planet and purpose.”
The platform is part of a 10-year plan to “embed a comprehensive sustainability strategy into and around Gucci,” promote positive change and secure a brighter future, the Kering-operated brand said.
Gucci Equilibrium—whose startling logo includes an Illuminati-esque all-seeing eye and the scales of justice, flanked by laurels—will be a tool for the firm to articulate its values and “culture of purpose,” according to the site.
“Here we invite you to go deeper into our culture of purpose and find out what drives us and defines us at Gucci,” the site noted. “We’ll constantly update you on our progress in ensuring that every decision we make is the right one on behalf of people and planet. We’ll report on the way we are letting Planet Earth set the limits and how we are applying innovation and cutting-edge science to find new ways to manage our impact.”
Gucci Equilibrium will also explain, or bring into account, the fashion house’s actions, which have included eliminating fur from its collections, working to guarantee the traceability of 95 percent of its raw materials and supporting female empowerment through its Chime for Change initiative, which raises funds and awareness for social-justice projects around the world.
In April, Gucci drew back the curtain on ArtLab, a 39,000-square-foot facility outside Florence, Italy, that will explore creativity, craftsmanship and innovation through the development of new sustainable materials, hardware and packaging.
There have been other philanthropic overtures as well. On Wednesday, Gucci announced that it had donated nearly 4,400 yards of leftover fabric to a handbag and dressmaking shop, based in the city of Caserta, that employs Nigerian women who were trafficked to Italy and forced into prostitution. Equilibrium will continue to distribute leather and fabric surplus to organizations that work with marginalized groups, according to the Associated Press.
One of the stories Gucci Equilibrium will feature is its collaboration with I was a Sari, a social enterprise that trains women from marginalized communities in Mumbai to transform castoff saris into new ones. Overseen by Gucci’s own artisans, the partnership will produce one-of-a-kind designs derived from leather scraps and embroidery materials.
“Beware,” Gucci said, a tad ominously. “Gucci Equilibrium is designed to inspire and motivate.”