Achieving carbon neutrality for a fashion show is no simple feat. bassike sought out carbon and energy management specialists, Pangolin Associates, to measure the emissions generated from its resort 2022 runway and subsequent see-now-buy-now winter 2021 presentation. Considerations included the travel of guests to and from the venue, electricity usage, catering, and waste management. Pangolin Associates then advised the brand on a carbon reduction and offset strategy.

The offsite location, for example, was selected for its eco credentials, including access to the Sydney Corporate Park’s 600-panel solar installation and water recycling system.

Throughout the process, bassike also supported two carbon abatement schemes: Forests Alive Tasmania and Brazil Amazon Rainforest REDD+ Projects. “Both [projects] reduce emissions traditionally caused by deforestation and degradation by promoting forest protection, implementation of conservation activities, scientific research and social inclusion within these communities,” Mary Lou says.

Leading the charge

It’s one of many steps bassike is taking towards shaping a greener industry; leading the charge for Australian designers looking to transform conversations about sustainable fashion into actions that create lasting change.

Mary Lou says that she and co-founder Deborah Sams have been “doing the right thing” since they launched the bassike in 2006. “For a long time we didn’t think we needed to speak about it,” she says. “[But] in recent years, we’ve been more proactive in talking about the decisions we’ve made.”

And there’s plenty to talk about. The brand has championed local manufacturing and the use of organic cotton since its inception, but Mary Lou says they also need to be realistic about the evolving nature of their sustainability journey. “We are aware that we’re not perfect and being sustainable is only ever a work in progress,” she says. “We’ve recently made the decision to take the organisation carbon neutral, including our head office, distribution centre and retail stores across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.”

The brand’s freight and logistics process has also undergone recent change. “[It’s] one of the largest contributors to our environmental footprint as a business, which is why we have worked with Greenfleet for a little while now to offset the delivery of all our e-commerce parcels.” Other sustainability initiatives across the business include the use of sustainable linen, Forest Stewardship Council-certified packaging, embracing reclaimed materials in retail spaces, and partnering with solar-powered facilities to produce bassike garments.

Important conversations

While many of these components may have fallen into the ‘don’t-ask-don’t-tell’ category for shoppers in the past, Mary Lou says today’s consumers are highly engaged and better informed. “It’s been wonderful to see a shift over the years, with our bassike community now asking more questions about where things are sourced and how they are made,” she says.

Despite the detrimental impacts of COVID-19, which continue to reverberate throughout the industry today, Mary Lou attributes the pandemic to increasing consumer interest in local manufacturing and sustainable efforts. “As supply chains halted around the world with border closures and lockdowns, we were very lucky to be able to work back with our local makers and continue to produce bassike garments safely and ethically with minimal disruption,” she says. “We all watched on as large cities around the world shut down and the environment was given time to heal – I don’t think consumers will ever shop without considering this impact again.”

It’s one thing for a brand to change course when the path is illuminated by others who have walked it before. It’s quite another to pave the way. “To remain a leader you have to be constantly evaluating how you do things and always looking for improvement,” says Mary Lou. She points to the brand’s recently announced 2025 operational goals as an example, which include becoming a certified carbon-neutral organisation under the climate active program, achieving a carbon-neutral certification for bassike’s jersey program, continuous improvement across all bassike products to use the most sustainable and responsible option available, and reducing the company’s excess raw materials by 50 per cent. “We are currently on track to achieve these milestones and more,” she says.

Mary Lou’s advice for emerging designers or creatives looking to embrace more sustainable practices? One foot in front of the other: “You just have to start,” she says.

“It can feel very overwhelming at times with all the information to digest, and new technologies always evolving, but it all comes down to making one goal and changing one thing that you do, and the rest will follow.”