J.Crewplans to produceall its future cashmere sweaters, and non-apparel pieces including those from the newly launched Spring 2021 collection with cashmere certified by the Good Cashmere Standard (GCS)

Developed by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS) aims to improve the welfare of cashmere goats, the lives of farmers and farming communities, and the environment in which they live. Through its partnership with GCS, J.Crewwill be able to guarantee a sustainable cashmere supply chain but can also provide full traceability for certified cashmere pieces.

J.Crew also plans to extendits partnership with the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) to empower women herders in Mongolia to improve their economic and social standing. The SFA promotes the sustainable production of cashmere, minimises environmental impact, ensures high animal welfare, and safeguards herder livelihoods. As part of its multi-year program with J.Crew, the SFA will support nearly 1,000 female herders (and their households) in Mongolia.

SFA will also train female herders to better negotiate trades and contracts, handle cash, make decisions and secure higher economic returns for their cooperative. Incentives will be provided to herding cooperatives that include females as their members and have a least one woman in their decision-making structure, and to those that develop social safety nets and offer collective support for vulnerable female-led families. Increased economic return for female cooperative members will be achieved through a fibre sorting program which will create the opportunity for the herders to sell higher quality fiber at a premium price.