From gift cards that remind us that everything has an expiration date to inclusive footwear that champions fluidity and freedom, here are some things that made us say “That’s Interesting” in the studio this week.
So, we see financial services companies supporting animal conservation by linking expiry and extinction, tech companies joining the sustainability movement with more transparent labelling, clothing made from other brands’ leftover fabric delivering sustainability, performance and exclusivity, and collaborations that celebrate Pride and take us a step closer (literally!) to a more inclusive future.
Master conservation.
Cards expire. Species shouldn’t. Mastercard’s latest initiative takes the brand into the realm of animal conservation. They’ve launched a new set of Mastercard gift cards where the expiry date is also the date by which the critically endangered animal depicted on the card will have gone extinct. Chilling, worrying, simple, direct and, for that reason, an effective way to raise awareness in an emotive and tangible way. For every card purchased, a $1 donation will go to Conservation International to help protect wildlife and the habitats of many Critically Endangered Species. The cards are also made of eco-friendly materials to keep expired cards from contributing to plastic pollution. Awareness is just the first step towards action, but with the right execution and the right reach, it can be a much needed catalyst for change.
Swipe for the future here
The visible cost.
Hidden costs are in many of the things we buy… Especially hidden environmental costs. A sector where Carbon Footprint data is especially murky is technology which, from production to usage, can involve significant amounts of resources. That is, until now. Logitech has used Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to label its products with their total carbon footprint on the packaging. At the moment, they have started with their gaming mice, keyboards, and headsets but they aim to extend the initiative to all products by 2025. Technology can be a powerful ally to solve our sustainability challenges, but we need to consider the environmental costs to get a true picture of the benefits. For more on this, see our Earth Matters article, The Advance of AI. And for more on the power of LCA, listen to our podcast.
Carbon footprint at your fingertips here
Reuse done right.
We’ve said it before and we’ll keep saying it: one brand’s waste can be another brand’s treasure. In this case, we see outdoor gear brand Cotopaxi creating water-resistant windbreaker jackets out of polyester offcuts “rescued” from other companies’ production runs. Not only does this reduce waste and resource consumption, it also adds appeal and exclusivity to the garments: with the unpredictability and variety of the leftover fabric, each brightly coloured combo is essentially unique and a limited edition. How else can brands turn a story of scarcity into one of exclusivity that is better for people, planet and profit?
Wear the change here
Stride with Pride.
Freedom, fluidity and fashion: a desirable triad at all times, and one that is especially relevant during Pride Month. And it’s exactly what the recent collaboration between luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo and American actor Billy Porter is about: they have co-designed a gender-neutral heel line that offers extended sizing options, from EU36 to EU45. The capsule collection further emphasises fashion’s move away from gendered labels and limitations, making space for choices based on passion and self-expression, rather than conventions and stereotypes.
Heels for all here