Threads of Peru’s vision is of a sustainable enterprise that empowers artisans, brings economic opportunities to rural communities, and makes the world richer by connecting cultures and fostering cultural diversity.
But…what do we mean by “sustainable”?
Threads of Peru was named winner of the 7th Annual Award for Sustainability in the Universe of Luxury in Latin America in the category of Fashion and Accessories by the Center for Studies on Sustainable Luxury!
WHAT IS “SUSTAINABILITY”?
Sustainable fashion, sustainable tourism, sustainable living – these are all buzz words we hear a lot these days. Have you ever stopped to think about what it really means?
“Sustainability” is one of those words that get used so much that it almost loses its meaning. The most common definitions of sustainability include:
- meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs; and,
- the ability of a defined behaviour to continue over a long period of time.
Both of these sustainability definitions seem to imply a wise use of resources – to not take so much now that there is nothing left for the future – and I think we all have a general sense that it has something to do with protecting the environment.
But did you know that sustainability really has 3 “pillars”? In order for our actions to be truly sustainable, we must take into account the social, environmental and economic implications. These three pillars are interdependent and we need all three to work together.
In this 3-part blog series, we will discuss these three aspects of sustainability in the area of textiles and sustainable fashion, and what we at Threads of Peru are doing to try to incorporate all three into our business model.