Ch. 3 Ethics & Social Responsibility

Fashion has never had the best reputation in terms of ethics and social responsibility. Being a fashion designer, and remain at the peak of fame is very difficult, but nevertheless Karl Lagerfeld succeed. Karl Lagerfeld has found an alternative solution to using fur-free collections, thus changing the look of fashion to other designers. Monica Engebretson, a director at the animal advocacy nonprofit organization Born Free USA mentions that fur products present severe animal welfare issues. It informs that Born Free USA Fashion competition is making efforts to make people realize that the fur-free is the future of fashion, along with fashion designers Coco Chanel.

The company holds training guides and seminars for their employees. The French luxury fashion house Chanel has agreed a deal with administrators KPMG to purchase cashmere knitwear manufacturer Barrie Knitwear of Scottish Borders-based. Chanel’s acquisition of Barrie Knitwear in Hawick secures the jobs of all 176 employees and safeguards a historic brand known for the manufacture of high quality cashmere for some of the world’s most prestigious couture houses, department stores and private label outlets. Designers in Paris seem to feel a sense of responsibility toward the crafts people, coming up with ideas that will keep them employed and their techniques alive.

Collaboration of Bloomingdale's and Chanel raised awareness and money for the New York University Child Study Center. Chanel's fall collection was presented in the store's fifth-floor furniture galleries, which were turned into a fashion show venue. The center's director, Harold S. Koplewicz, introduced the short film "Childhood Lost and Found," featuring children and families affected by psychiatric disorders. In addition, sale of designer goods proceeds go to an HIV/AIDS-related charity.

The Chanel management team focuses on three primary areas of Image, Service and Leadership in their roles, alongside business responsibilities.