Sustainability is an important topic in the fashion industry, says Femme van Gils. Since August 2023 she has headed CSR (corporate social responsibility) at Samsøe Samsøe. In this interview, she tells more about her work at the Danish fashion company, the challenges that she encountered as CSR manager and her vision for the future of her field.
How did you become CSR boss at Samsøe Samsøe?
During my studies Fashion Branding (BSC) on the AMFI, the foundation stone was laid for my current role in the field of fashion sustainability. I was able to further expand this foundation with minor subjects in the field of innovation, a postgraduate degree in sustainability business management and experiences at various fashion companies (Love Stories, Gray Label, Tedja).
I have always been fascinated by the influence of brands on consumer behavior. However, the idea of the traditional ‘take, make, Waste’ model did not feel right. I started to believe more and more in a holistic fashion system.
Before my current position at Samsøe Samsøe, I worked as a sustainability manager at the Dutch glasses brand Ace & Tate in Amsterdam. In the course of my career, the urgency of a sustainable transformation in the fashion industry and the importance of brands that focus on people and the environment was increasingly clear to me. Samsøe Samsøe was a logical next step for me: a brand with a strong basis for sustainability, where I can continue to build up together with the team.
What does a typical working day look like as CSR boss from Samsøe Samsøe?
It’s a dynamic job. You have many different tasks – from advice from various teams when choosing more sustainable materials to the implementation of audits in delivery companies. On some days, for example, I am working on the introduction of new materials or technologies, on other days I will discuss HR initiatives with the team. I recently was in Brussels to talk to European politicians: inside the upcoming sustainability legislation. So my days are very varied.
What are the most important tasks as part of your role?
I am responsible for determining the sustainability strategy within the company. In addition, I have to make sure that this matches the general corporate strategy of Samsøe Samsøe. I am working on the implementation of various projects, such as maintaining relationships with suppliers: inside, the introduction of sustainable materials and the organization of audits. Ensuring the Due Diligence in the supply chain is currently very important, especially in view of the increasing legislation in this area. I also work on our sustainability report 2024, which is an important milestone in communication. The sustainability report is a way to look back on the effects that we have achieved last year. It is about setting concrete goals and achieving them.
What are the biggest challenges in her role as CSR manager at Samsøe Samsøe?
EU legislation is one of the greatest challenges. We have recently been busy with the “Double Materiality Assessment”, a process that companies have to go through to the preparation for the corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD). The aim of the CSRD is for large companies in the EU to report standardized about sustainability. This means that companies not only have to publish an annual financial statements, but also have to take into account sustainability KPIs. This was a big project for us, which we have carried out with our auditors in the past six months. This project included close cooperation with our CFO and finance team in order to integrate sustainability into various reporting processes within the company. The idea is that sustainability becomes part of the financial reporting of companies.
In addition, the management of different departments within the company is a challenge. It is important that decisions related to sustainability not only remain within the sustainability team, but that all departments are included in the decision -making process. All have their own essential performance indicators that match the sustainability goals. For example, the shopping department aims to use a certain percentage of sustainable materials. It is about making sustainability a priority for the entire company and ensuring that all teams continue to take responsibility.
How do you deal with the pressure in connection with legislation and the implementation of sustainability goals within the company?
Cooperation is very important. In Denmark there is a strong network of companies that all deal with the same topic of sustainability. We work with other brands and companies to exchange initiatives and to find solutions for better communication and education together. For example, we started a new cooperation with Retraced, a platform for traceability, to create transparency in our supply chain. It is about creating a sustainable ecosystem of partners: inside that work together towards the same goals.
What inspires her work the most?
What inspires me the most is the collaboration. Whether it is innovative start-ups that develop a new alternative to leather, or the cooperation with delivery companies that have been working with us for years. It is the variety of partnerships that drives me. It is great to see how the dynamic increases. Other departments are now starting to think about sustainability and develop their own initiatives. For me, creating a snowball effect within the organization is the greatest motivation.
Do you see trends in the area of corporate social responsibility?
Yes, in addition to increasing cooperation in the industry, I also see an increased focus on transparency and traceability. Companies now really want to show where their products come from and how they are made. Sustainability is becoming more and more a core value, both for companies and for consumers: inside.
How do you see the future of the CSR management function?
Ideally, the role of the CSR line should no longer be necessary, since sustainability is then fully integrated into the corporate management. I imagine that entrepreneurial social responsibility is integrated into the daily business activities of all departments that it is simply ‘Business as usual’ for everyone. “
This article previously appeared on Fashionunited.nl and was used with digital tools translated.
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