What is a manifesto?

Eva Von Alvensleben, Associate (formerly Sustainability Strategy Manager) at Kering introduces the idea of a manifesto.

In this film, Eva discusses:

• What is a manifesto?
• Why create one?

Manifestos usually focus on external goals that shape and guide an individual’s or an organisation’s internal creative and business direction. They are often responding to real world problems, advocating a need or new idea to carry out and provoke change.

Creating a manifesto helps you to examine what you stand for, what you might want to change, and what is unjust in the world. The earlier you start thinking about your core values, the easier it is to build a sustainability mindset into what you do, and the more positive impact you will be likely to create.

Manifestos

Kering’s short film presents their approach towards crafting a more sustainable luxury by 2025. In 2020 Kering also released a Biodiversity Strategy, outlining their commitment to making a net positive impact on biodiversity by 2025.

Additional industry initiatives have included (but are not limited to) the launch of the Black in Fashion Council, Global Fashion Agenda, the Circular Fashion Pledge, and SCAP’s Textiles 2030 initiative to name but a few.

Your values

Sustainability is a huge consideration and so it is important to identify what elements are most important to you. Once we’ve covered some of the major topics, and explored and refined your personal values, we will be asking you to articulate a manifesto of your own. Someone reading your manifesto should be able to feel the emotions and motivations behind your statement, and understand why it matters.

Throughout the course we ask that you revisit your manifesto, and by the end of the six weeks we hope you will have a clear understanding of your personal imperatives and what matters to you most to be able to voice that in the world.