Cascale and industry leaders from across the home furnishings and design ecosystem come together to explore how the sector can build shared measurement, accountability, and action at scale.
Sustainable design starts with materials.
The event was held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas as a finale to the January Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, held Jan. 8 through 11.
For the 35th Annual ARTS Awards ceremony and gala, Cascale attended and sponsored a cocktail reception.
Given the Higg FEM supports soft furnishings – with a number of Cascale members already employing the tool for such uses – the sponsorship was a natural progression. The event was held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas as a finale to the January Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. Despite the severe, ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles and recent snowfall in Northern Texas, the turnout was strong. Honorees spanned the US with an array of featured award categories from lighting to home accent stores to outstanding sales professionals.
Special recognitions went to industry veterans. This included Lifetime Achievement award winner Andy Singer, founder and chief executive officer of Houston-based lighting manufacturer Visual Comfort; and Trailblazer award winner Lois del Negro, co-founder of Global Views.
Recounting her career in home furnishings, del Negro built her foundations from being the first woman to become a furniture buyer at Macy’s. In her acceptance speech, she proved her worth: “Especially the woman in HR at Macy’s who told me, ‘We will never make a woman a furniture buyer.’ I proved her wrong.”
Industry professionals will gear up for the next furniture-focused events including High Point Market happening April 26 to 30, 2025 and the ART Conference 2025 in Miami slated for May 21 to 23.
Other awards in the mix included the HEARTS Award which went to The H Foundation for its cancer-awareness fundraising efforts.
Interior designers and well-known personalities also made their appearance as presenters for the event. This included Thom Filicia, who is a member and ambassador of the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), and Carson Kressley, who may be recognized from TV shows such as Queer Eye and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.
Another notable honor included the Green Award which went to the wall decor manufacturer Phillips Collection based in High Point, N.C. “Every piece is a conversation, and we are dedicated to supporting sustainable ideals and practices,” said the president and CEO Mark Phillips in his acceptance speech. Appropriately, Sustainable Furnishings Council was a judge for the award, assisting during the extensive vetting process which will be due in November for the upcoming year.
As it turns out, the furniture world isn’t so far from the fashion world. Attendees were elegantly dressed – with the Texas flair including everything from lavish furs and sequins to bolo ties. One anecdote summarized this adjacency. In his final remarks, New Yorker-turned-Texan Visual Comfort’s Andy Singer said he got the idea for his business’s name from a fashion publication.
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – November 19, 2024: As the policy landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, understanding the implications of these changes is more critical than ever. From the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to the Ecodesing for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) , staying ahead of regulations isn’t just about compliance – it’s about positioning business for long-term success. To ensure that brands, retailers, manufacturers and supply chain partners in the apparel, footwear, textiles, and broader consumer goods sectors are well-equipped to keep pace, Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, will host its Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels on December 4, sponsored by Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data insights platform and exclusive licensee of the Higg Index.
“The competitiveness of the apparel and textile sector relies on circularity, digitalization and innovation for the good of the environment, consumers, workers and businesses alike,” said Dr. Amaryllis Verhoeven, Acting Director, Tourism, Textiles, Digital Transformation of Industry and Social Economy, European Commission, DG GROW, who will give the opening keynote.
“The urgency of the climate crisis and the critical need for social justice in supply chains places the apparel and textile sector at a pivotal moment of transformation,” said Andrew Martin, Cascale executive vice president. “As we navigate these changes, collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders is essential to building a sustainable, competitive, and future-proof consumer goods industry. By focusing our efforts on more equitable participation and measurable progress, Cascale is laying the groundwork to ensure the sector thrives while contributing to the EU’s broader goals of sustainability and consumer well-being. Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels provides a critical opportunity to shape the sustainability conversation for the coming decade, and build a more sustainable and equitable future.”
“Our partnership with Cascale is grounded in a shared commitment to helping apparel and consumer goods businesses make measurable progress on social and environmental sustainability and prepare for regulatory requirements,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly. “We’re providing companies with the critical data and insights they need to understand their impacts and make informed decisions to drive improvements. This collaboration is about empowering businesses to take meaningful steps forward, transforming their operations in ways that benefit both people and the planet.”
The event’s theme – “Policy Dialogue in Action: Finding Common Ground for a Sustainable Consumer Goods Industry” – speaks directly to the urgent need to collectively shape the future of sustainability. Cascale believes that regulation is essential to driving meaningful change and is working diligently to identify and address current and potential gaps between the Higg Index and evolving legislation with key stakeholders, including Worldly. At the Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels, attendees will engage in discussions with EU leadership, network with key policymakers and top industry leaders driving the regulatory agenda, and explore current and upcoming EU legislation. In addition to the December 4 event, which is open to the public, attendees will also have the exclusive opportunity to participate in an immersive experience on December 5, hosted at the European Parliament. This special limited-availability side event, which is not open to media attendees, will include a private tour and a meet and greet with MEPs providing deeper legislative insights and networking opportunities.
“At Zalando, we encourage EU policymakers to establish a consistent regulatory framework that will not only enhance consumer trust but also provide more legal guidance for companies,” said Pascal Brun, Vice President of Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion at Zalando, who will engage in a closing fireside chat. “Both the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) challenge the industry to set higher standards in measuring and mitigating environmental and social impacts. By embracing these directives, we aim to facilitate more informed choices for our customers, empowering them to make decisions that align with their values”
“The transition towards sustainability in the textile sector requires a technical and holistic approach, addressing all aspects of the industry,” said Marina Prados Espínola, Co-Director of the Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel & Footwear. “At the Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel & Footwear, we believe that implementing this transition must account for the diverse realities of the sector, with ongoing discussions on technical details to understand precise impacts and drive meaningful change. Events like the Cascale Brands & Retail Forum offer an invaluable opportunity to delve into policy developments and align with political priorities in the new EU agenda for textiles sustainability and circularity.”
Additional speakers include: Magnus Dorsch, Head of Corporate Sustainability, About You; Dan Dionisie, Head of Unit, Company Law, DG JUST, European Commission; Matjaz Malgaj, Head of Unit, ESPR, DG ENV, European Commission; Romane Malysza, Public Affairs Strategist, Textile Exchange; Greta Koch, Parliamentary Assistant to MEP Axel Voss (EPP), European Parliament; Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (Renew), Member of the European Parliament; Katarzyna Sulisz, Senior Policy Officer, Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI); Chelsea Murtha, Senior Director, Sustainability, AAFA; Dorothy Lovell, Garment and Footwear Lead, OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct; Krishna Manda, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability, Lenzing AG; John Armstrong, Chief Technology Officer, Worldly; Tom Mason, Senior Manager, Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement, SLCP; and Lisa Süss, Head of Industry Alignment, Fair Wear Foundation, among others. Please visit this page for more information or to register for the Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels 2024, sponsored by Worldly.
ABOUT CASCALE
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.
Andrew Martin, executive vice president, Cascale participated in the inaugural global apparel factory summit hosted by Avery Dennison, a Cascale member at the forefront of sustainability and innovation.
Avery Dennison is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company that provides a wide range of branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. The event took place in Singapore in September and attendees included a select group of owners and CEOs of manufacturing facilities in Asia and Europe. Presentations and discussions centered around challenges in the supply chain, from traceability to circularity.
In a fireside chat, Martin began by sharing the main purpose of his attendance: to listen to the concerns and challenges of manufacturers—voices that need greater attention, especially in the context of traceability—and to explore how Cascale, in its role as a convener of the entire value chain, can support them. He examined how the supply chain must work together to unlock transparency and traceability. Both referenced data from Cascale’s Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) tool, which is exclusively available on Worldly. The Higg FEM is a transformative tool used to assess the environmental impact of product manufacturing at facilities, from water use to waste management, to chemical and energy use.
Martin’s presentation was especially relevant to attendees in showcasing how transformative Higg FEM data is for advancing facility improvements while reducing redundancy. He emphasized the value of the Higg Index tools in offering standardized approaches and highlighted Cascale’s crucial role in reducing duplication, increasing harmonization, and ensuring consistency, particularly in the context of data collection for traceability in response to upcoming regulations. Additional speakers included Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), among others.
Martin also shared learnings from Cascale members, noting that since much of the, legislation, —such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting & Due Diligence Directives (CSRD & CSDDD), Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and Digital Product Passport (DPP), and the US’s Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA),—are still pending further clarification, and even aligned implementation, the focus of ESG data collection processes is still being focused just on compliance with specific data points. He emphasized however that the importance of the industry shifting towards traceability, that enables more effective due diligence, risk identification, and opportunities for and verification of ESG progress.
Martin emphasized the importance of making sustainability information transparent at the site level, a core component of traceability, defined as “the process of creating visibility of materials, products, and the information in which they were produced through the supply chain, to ensure the accountability of environmental and social progress.” He characterized the burden that traceability places on manufacturers as “irrational” and called for rapid collaboration on pragmatic interventions to harmonize the ESG data reporting landscape, standardizing supply chain data points, align data collection templates and questionnaires, and harmonizing data requests and verification cycles.
He also mentioned initiatives like Cascale’s decarbonization programs, including the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), inviting attendees to consider their involvement.
Relive the highlights and explore key takeaways from the Cascale Annual Meeting 2024, held in Munich Germany on September 9-11, 2024.
Join Cascale and Worldly on November 14 for an in-depth overview of Higg FEM 2024.
As the global fashion industry continues to grapple with the complexities of sustainability, one truth stands out: the voices of manufacturers are paramount.
This was the resounding message at Cascale’s recent Manufacturer Forum: Shanghai, held in collaboration with ISPO Shanghai. This event, part of our ongoing series, underscores the importance of pre-competitive collaboration and highlights the critical role manufacturers play in driving sustainable change.
The Manufacturer Forum: Shanghai was more than just an event; it was a convergence of ideas, solutions, and partnerships. With over 200 attendees, including manufacturers, business leaders, and stakeholders, the forum provided a platform to address local challenges and explore solutions. These included Cascale’s Higg Index tools and impact initiatives, like those on decarbonization. The event was a testament to our commitment to fostering an open exchange between manufacturers and understanding their needs to jointly develop solutions.
Our CEO, Colin Browne, emphasized the crucial role of manufacturers in his opening address. “China is a premier production hub and manufacturers here are truly the architects of transformation,” Browne stated. “From combating climate change to delivering decent work for all and building a nature-positive future, manufacturers are critical to achieving our collective goals.”
Our forums are designed to be catalysts for change, reflecting our theme for the current series. The Shanghai event covered a wide range of topics, from global policy updates and strategic partnerships to the evolution of Higg FEM, and decarbonization impacts. These sessions are not just about sharing knowledge but about empowering manufacturers to take actionable steps towards sustainability; goals supported by Cascale’s onsite training sessions.
The discussions in Shanghai highlighted that manufacturers –especially those in climate-induced risk zones in China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam –are poised to offer crucial solutions. Their firsthand experiences with climate adaptation amidst pressing monsoons and heatwaves provide invaluable insights. However, the success of these initiatives depends on the active engagement and collaboration of all stakeholders, including brands and NGOs. Buyers must leverage their platforms and influence to drive change through verifiable decarbonization targets, responsible purchasing practices, and social and labor best practices.
The importance of these conversations will be further amplified at our upcoming Annual Meeting in Munich this September. This event will not only reflect the progress made but will also set the stage for future initiatives. However, it is crucial for our entire membership base to engage beyond attending events. True change comes from implementing the insights gained and working collaboratively towards our shared goals.
At Cascale, we believe events like the Manufacturer Forum are critical in shaping a sustainable future. They provide the necessary platform for open dialogue, shared learning, and collective action. As we move forward, we remain committed to amplifying the voices of manufacturers and ensuring they remain at the forefront of our sustainability efforts.
We look forward to seeing our members actively participate and drive the transformative changes needed to create a more restorative and equitable industry. Members are encouraged to join us in Munich to continue these vital conversations and work together for a better future.
Cascale’s ongoing event series amplifies the voices of manufacturers around the globe; event to be held in collaboration with ISPO Shanghai.
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – June 6, 2024: Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition) will host Manufacturer Forum: Shanghai on June 28, part of an annual series of events designed to amplify the voices of manufacturers around the globe. Featuring targeted programming designed to address local challenges faced by manufacturers, the event will highlight solutions provided by Cascale’s Higg Index suite of tools and growing list of impact initiatives. The event takes place at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in collaboration with ISPO Shanghai, the unique, multi-segment summer trade show.
Following successful runs in Bangalore, Dhaka, and Shenzhen, Manufacturer Forum: Shanghai will further facilitate pre-competitive collaboration in order to share best practices and collectively address critical challenges. Keynote speakers include Colin Browne, the organization’s newly-appointed CEO, and Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly, Cascale’s technology partner and event sponsor.
“China is a premiere production hub and manufacturers here are truly the architects of transformation,” Browne said. “From combating climate change to delivering decent work for all and building a nature-positive future, manufacturers are critical to achieving our collective goals. It’s a priority for me to foster collaboration with manufacturers around the world. Together, we will co-create solutions that will transform the consumer goods industry into one that gives back more than it takes to people and the planet.”
“Many of Worldly’s customers are manufacturers based in China, and I am looking forward to engaging with them at the Manufacturer Forum hosted by Cascale in Shanghai,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly. “Manufacturers are crucial in driving social and environmental impacts. In partnership with Cascale, we will strengthen our collaboration with these manufacturing facilities, equipping them with advanced tools and insights to meet their sustainability objectives and fortify their relationships with their brand partners.”
Reflecting “Catalyst for Change,” the current theme of Cascale’s Manufacturer Forum series, the Shanghai event reinforces the organization’s commitment to support an open exchange between manufacturers and better understand their needs and ongoing challenges to jointly develop solutions.
Over 200 attendees are expected to attend the event, which brings together manufacturers with business leaders and critical stakeholders. Programming will cover a wide range of topics, including what manufacturers need to know about global policy, how strategic partnerships can drive industry change, the evolution of Higg FEM and verification processes, and the latest on decarbonization impacts. To aid goal and target-setting, there will also be dedicated training on setting Science-Based Targets for decarbonization, as part of an evolving and interactive program. Click here for more information and/or to register. Event sponsors currently include Worldly, Benchmarks, TÜV Rheinland, ESTS Global, and Stantec.
ABOUT CASCALE
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Spanning over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe, we are united by a singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index and a unified strategy for industry transformation.
The Manufacturer Forum: Shanghai was held on June 28, 2024.
