There are numerous sustainability initiatives, but who is really driving the change in the fashion industry, regardless of whether these efforts are public or not? We talk to Changemaker: Inside, consultant: Inside, Expert: Inside for sustainable fashion and activist: inside. What can we learn from your work?
In the third episode of this series, Fashionunited speaks with Saqib Sohail, head of the “Responsible Business Projects” department at Artistic Milliners. The company based in Karatschi, Pakistan, is a vertically integrated denim manufacturer that manufactures premium products for brands such as Jack & Jones, Gap, Lee and G-Star. Artistic Milliners is known for his strong commitment to sustainability and innovation along the entire cotton supply chain. The initiatives range from climate protection and responsible production to personnel development and social programs with a focus on inclusion, diversity and further education.
1. Can you briefly imagine at first? Who are you and what do you do? Can you share some important successes?
My name is Saqib Sohail, and I lead the responsible business team at Artistic Milliners. My background lies in textile science and textile management. I taught at universities for over fifteen years and worked in the fashion industry. Today I use my knowledge to develop practical solutions for sustainability.
At Artistic Milliners we do not pursue a step -by -step way, but a holistic approach. We work at the same time at all levels of the supply chain, from the cotton farms (Tier 5) and the cotton picker: inside up to the supplier: inside of chemicals and dyes. We take into account the effects on soil, water and air.
As for the country, we not only receive groundwater in our systems through initiatives such as water savings and rainwater extraction. We endeavor to reduce the amount of waste to landfills as far as possible, both from our factories and from our products as soon as you reach consumer countries. Even if you do this, we strive to shape you in such a way that you can be absorbed by the environment. Of course it is still a long way, but we are actively looking for fibers that are better for the environment. Our commitment does not end at work – we also go up to the farms up to the river to further drive these changes.
Take some of our efforts at the company level as an example. We have the 2020 Milliner Cotton Initiative launched to combat cotton pollution and increase the accountability and traceability. We now support more than 5,000 farmers: inside. We have introduced intelligent agricultural tools such as drone syringes, floor sensors and satellite images to reduce the input costs and the use of chemicals. One of our latest initiatives is on the rain about the Regenagri standard, a regenerative agricultural program that focuses on soil health, biodiversity as well as animal and social welfare. It quickly grew from two -and -nine farmers: Inside in the beginning of 2023 to 1,000 farmers: inside, spread over 10,000 hectares, today.
2. Where is the fashion industry currently in terms of sustainability? And how do you see that?
People are more aware of the environmental problems and the role of the fashion industry in pollution today than ever, that is the encouraging part. However, the challenge is that the greatest hurdles for real progress are still the costs.
Let us take initiatives such as the use of organic cotton at Artistic Milliners or our certifications according to the Alliance for Water Stewardship standard. These measures alone can cost around $ 250,000 (around 230,000 euros) annually, only for the certifications and the necessary inputs. This increases the unit price per product by about fifteen to twenty cents. And this is exactly where the problem is often, because most consumers are simply not ready to pay more inside to make the industry more sustainable.
On another front, some companies make some companies in the highly competitive fashion market false information on the use of organic materials and offer these products at significantly lower prices-because the price remains a central reason for purchase. This undermines the work of those companies that are actually seriously committed to sustainability.
The problems in the supply chain of the fashion industry are also profound and expensive to solve. This can sometimes have a discouraging effect. In particular in view of the increasing external pressure through persistent geopolitical developments.
Nevertheless, I consciously choose optimism. My glass is always half full, it has to be. It is important to recognize the problems, but to remain resistant in the face of these challenges. A hopeful perspective keeps us in motion and drives the change forward.
3. What food for thought do you want to give our reader: in view of sustainability in view?
In the fashion industry, sustainability is often considered by the glasses of decarbonization – for example by switching to renewable energies, more efficient factories or recycling measures. As important as these aspects are, they only form part of the overall picture. Critical topics such as water consumption or sustainable procurement of raw materials are often overlooked. The same applies to the people and processes at the beginning of the supply chain: the farmer: inside, cotton picker: inside and logistics staff: inside.
At Artistic Milliners, we ask brands to integrate ourselves into decision -making processes at an early stage. We appeal to legislators: inside not to issue new regulations without involving the entire supply chain. This principle of inclusion must apply to everyone, especially for the actors upstream. Your voices count.
Real change begins with real co-creation. Too often sustainability strategies are designed at the top and then passed down. But what kind of brand works is not necessarily practical for agricultural operation – and vice versa. Therefore, it is crucial to define problems together first before you fall on solutions. Solutions are most effective when they have been developed together. Because those who experience the challenges often have the most well -founded and practical approaches.
Fashion companies have to be aware that every decision in the area of sustainability, or the absence of such a company extends far beyond their own company.
4. To advance things: What do you advise?
To advance things, it is helpful to work with innovative organizations and universities. They bring fresh ideas and technologies that support the reduction in energy, water and raw material consumption. Small optimizations are often overlooked – for example in heat recovery or waste reduction – although they can lead to significant, measurable improvements. These are practical and scalable approaches to promote sustainability.
Environmental, social and governance (in German: environment, social affairs and corporate management) is also a shared responsibility throughout the company – not something that exists in isolation in a silo. Areas such as finance, marketing, product development and operations must all be actively involved. This also means sharing data between the departments and ensuring that sustainability teams understand the company as well as vice versa.
Another important factor is investing in people. The improvement of the skills of teams and the coordination of ESG goals on individual roles helps the employees: inside, understanding their contribution. When people see their own effects, they take responsibility instead of just following instructions.
Progress does not have to be dramatic to be effective. Like us the book Atomic Habits In memory, the performance of small, consistent improvements can lead to a much greater effect over time. Even in sustainability it is the constant, repeated steps that cause permanent changes.
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A new Changemaker will soon be released: interior interview. If you have a recommendation for strong candidates: inside that 3 we should consider for this series, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].
Sources:
– An interview with Saqib Sohail, led on May 19, 2025.
– AI tools helped the transcription and writing.
This article was used with digital tools translated.
Fashionunited uses artificial intelligence to accelerate the translation of articles and improve the end result. They help us make the international reporting of fashionunited a German -speaking readership quickly and comprehensively accessible. Articles that have been translated using AI-based tools are read and carefully edited by our editor: Correcting inside before they are published. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me by email to [email protected]