For the past several years Kresse has given an annual lecture to the One Planet MBA class at Exeter University. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet the new cohort of students who are keen to simultaneously advance their careers while learning how this can be done for the benefit of planet and people, as opposed to at their expense.
It is a diverse, engaged and talented group. Their detailed, challenging questions are a joy to respond to and reflect incredibly well on the One Planet program. We love that they share our values, here is how they express them:
"business success and sustainability go hand in hand. As we work with entrepreneurs, again and again we find a direct link between meeting customer needs and achieving positive environmental and social impacts. The best entrepreneurs take this a step further; they have a holistic and borderless view of business; they are motivated by the urgency of addressing big challenges and engage with the technologies and networks that make innovation possible."
The story of Elvis & Kresse gets richer with each passing year, as we grow, as we push the boundaries of what we are capable of doing and as we extend our commitment to problem solving to yet more unwanted or underloved materials. Preparing these lectures is a fantastic opportunity to review, challenge and plan the year ahead.
Thank you Exeter and your borderless view of business! Until next Spring...
This wasn't a commission, this became a really wonderful set of Christmas presents for our entire family. We are sharing this story because we hope it gives you the idea that, once anything has been created and has lived their first full life, materials have a lot more to give before they are pulped, down-cycled, landfilled or incinterated.
When we shared this video with Kresse's brother, the hero of this story, his comments were as follows, 'if this doesn't make people recycle, nothing will.' We hope it works.
Love,
Elvis & Kresse
Tonge Mill isn't just the home of Elvis & Kresse, it is also our home, it is where James (aka Elvis) and I (Kresse) live. It isn't that easy to distinguish between our home and workshop though, both are designed and built with the same ethics and the same principles.
Nothing should be new, everything should be reclaimed.
When Jane Crittenden got in touch to see if we would be happy to tell the story of Tonge Mill for Reclaim Magazine we could immediately see the fit and couldn't wait to reveal every material, every technique, and really share the story of this incredible building and how we spent two years bringing it back from the brink and restoring it with as many rescued materials as building control and our local planning officer would allow...
We had an amazing day with James French (photographer) and Marisha Taylor (stylist). It was fantastic to see the Mill through their eyes and to challenge James to capture Monty, who is notoriously difficult to photograph. We absolutely can't wait to see the results.
The photos included here are a few of James and Marisha's behind the scenes snaps - stay tuned for the full shoot - when our issue is out we will let you know where you can get a copy of the magazine.
Over the years we have met some incredible people who are all working to make the world better, in many different ways, and we wanted to find out their thoughts on our industry. Why? Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world...
Right now, I'm chairing the board of New York City's High Line, and continuing to build Project For Good, a non-profit online venture providing information about consumer product companies with “more-than-profit” business models. After so many years thinking about the concept, developing and refining it, it is gratifying to have the site launched. I'm very excited about the possibilities for Project For Good, as I do believe, and statistics would confirm, that this is a growing field, with lots of consumer demand supporting that growth.
Marcus Tullius Cicero said: “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” That is, to my mind, the ultimate luxury. And, of course, you need the time to enjoy them!*
I'm most proud of my work for The New York Public Library, where I was Chairman for seven years. The library is perhaps the most democratic institution I know. It's free of charge, with research centers and almost 90 branches in the city. The branches are vital community gathering spots, providing not only free books and internet access, but also homework help, literacy classes, job research resources, and more than 17 million programs for all ages. This is the kind of community service that inspired me to build Project For Good – to celebrate for-profit initiatives that provide these same services to those who need them.
Wouldn't that be wonderful if it were, and I do think there are many signs pointing this way. Consumer demand is there, particularly among millennials. And industry action is coming along. For instance, the cotton industry is working with denim brands to keep old jeans out of landfills. Established apparel brands like Stella McCartney and Eileen Fisher, both founded on sustainability and environmental principles ahead of their time, remain true to their founding principles, continue to demand more research on critical sustainability issues, and are, as a result, celebrated as pioneers. B Corporation’s rise and ever-growing recognition also point to this trend.
I generally wear classics, so almost every item in my closet would count. It would be too boring to answer by saying a crewneck sweater, so instead I'll choose my favorite raincoat, from Prada, which I've had for well over ten years. It's one of those pieces that I can dress up or down. And it's my favorite color to wear -- navy blue. And, truly, what is better than a good raincoat that lasts and lasts?
The most recent items I purchased came from learning about two companies on Project For Good: Blue Avocado bags, and ECO-BAGS. Through studying our companies' missions, I've become more aware of the huge amount of waste, especially plastics. So, using these instead of tossing away packaging is meaningful to me.
More companies in this field of more-than-profit brands!
*We were inspired by Catie's definition of luxury to include the cover image of a garden library, it is an award winning design by Office Sian Architecture called The Hackney Shed
What is a B Corp?
This isn't a simple question to answer. Thousands of businesses have chosen to be certified as B Corps and they represent a very broad church. No two are the same. At the most basic technical level a B Corp is a business (not a charity or NGO) that has chosen to go through a rigorous assessment process which covers 5 key areas - Environment, Workers, Customers, Community and Governance. You have to repeat and improve on your certification process every two years, which means you accept that you are on a journey and that you need to keep getting better. You have to score at least 80 points out of a possible 200, which is actually quite difficult to do. And you have to sign up to the Declaration of Interdependence, which means your business puts stakeholders and shareholders on an equal footing.
Why is it a Movement?
It is a movement because B Corps want 'Business as a force for Good' to become business as usual. We want to work together, trade with each other, and change the world. We have a shared dream that business can be a force for good.
When did it start?
The B Corp movement first started in 2006, about one year after we discovered London's Decommissioned fire-hose and launched Elvis & Kresse. They have had some pretty amazing milestones along the way, you can learn more here.
Why is it important?
We think this is important for two key reasons.
Who are some other B Corps?
There are so many truly amazing B Corps, we definitely don't want you to think that this an exhaustive list.
Why is Elvis & Kresse a B Corp (certified since 2015)?
We guess we were a B Corp before there were B Corps. We only do three things, we rescue materials, we transform them, and we donate 50% of the associated profits to charity. We exist to solve environmental problems and ensure that there is a circular flow of capital back into great causes. We don't just think that businesses should be better, we know that they simply must be in order to combat climate change, redress rising inequality and ensure that future generations have a future. We are also a B Corp because being one is truly joyful. It is an optimistic, hard working movement that is happy to roll up its sleeves and muck-in, and it does this with a smile.
After much rewinding and pausing, there were a lot of nodding heads, 'Yes, that is definitely our bag'.
It came as a complete surprise to everyone at the workshop to find the Elvis & Kresse Yellow Tote Bag in not just one, but 3 scenes of Madam Secretary (season 4, episode 11 to be precise).
And then imagine our surprise when we tuned into the next episode and again spotted our Tote!
We have had some tweets with Geoffrey Arend, who plays Matt Mahoney, but was guest directing the first episode that we appeared in. He praised the undercover work of their 'fantastic props/costume department' and was glad 'it made it in!'.
We love being a part of a strong cast and being carried by Stevie, the lovely Wallis Currie-Wood. This bag is entirely vegan so very suitable for a character who promotes 'meatless Monday'.
We will keep watching as who knows? The Tote could become a 'Regular'.
If you have any idea about how this bag made its way to the props and costume team at Madam Secretary, please let us know. Our own sleuthing is not working.
Some of you have been to see us at Tonge Mill and many of you follow our social accounts too. The one rather unforgettable highlight is our really rather spectacular dog Monty.
He didn't have the best start, but we are veterans of rescue, and at almost 4 you couldn't meet a lovelier, crazier, bouncier, cuddlier pup.
After much prompting from all of you lovely people, and your gorgeous dogs, we are making bespoke collars again... The first went to Fifi, but we tried it out on our Monty before it left the workshop. We will be doing leads too - so just get in touch, every piece will be handmade to order from our Kent workshop.
Email: support@elvisandkresse.com
95% of British fire-hoses are red, but only 5% are yellow. For years our pallet has been dominated by lustrous shades of rich deep red. But over the last few months, there has been a dramatic increase in colour in our workshop.
Our Fire & Hide Collection combines our signature fire-hose with the unique system we have designed to rescue leather. This system transforms leather fragments from the production of Burberry leather goods into components which are then hand woven, piece by piece, into whole new hides.
Although the leather will flow to us in some regular expected colours, like black and brown, we also receive tiny amounts of very distinct colours and textures. This means you will start to see completely individual pieces on our site.
This Fire & Hide Billfold Wallet is our third One of a Kind. It combines a clear yellow textured leather reclaimed from the production of Burberry leather goods with genuine decommissioned British fire-hose, also in yellow. Due to the material available, we could only make one. When it's gone, it's gone.
95% of British fire-hoses are red, but only 5% are yellow. For years our pallet has been dominated by lustrous shades of rich deep red. But over the last few months, there has been a dramatic increase in colour in our workshop.
Our Fire & Hide Collection combines our signature fire-hose with the unique system we have designed to rescue leather. This system transforms leather fragments from the production of Burberry leather goods into components which are then hand woven, piece by piece, into whole new hides.
Although the leather will flow to us in some regular expected colours, like black and brown, we also receive tiny amounts of very distinct colours and textures. This means you will start to see completely individual pieces on our site.
This Fire & Hide Duffel Bag is our third One of a Kind. It combines a clear yellow textured leather reclaimed from the production of Burberry leather goods with genuine decommissioned British fire-hose, also in yellow. Due to the material available, we could only make one. When it's gone, it's gone.
95% of British fire-hoses are red but only 5% are yellow. For years our pallet has been dominated by lustrous shades of rich deep red. But over the last few months, there has been a dramatic increase in colour in our workshop.
Our Fire & Hide Collection combines our signature fire-hose with the system we have designed to rescue leather. This system transforms leather fragments from the production of Burberry leather goods into components which are then hand woven, piece by piece, into whole new hides.
Although the leather will flow to us in some regular, expected colours like black and brown, we also receive tiny amounts of very unique colours and textures. This means you will start to see completely individual pieces on our site.
This Post Bag is our first One of a Kind. It combines a clear yellow textured leather reclaimed from the production of Burberry leather goods with genuine decommissioned British fire-hose, also in yellow. The reclaimed parachute lining is a luscious harvest gold. Due to the material available, we could only make one. When it's gone, it's gone.
If you love this yellow, stay tuned or contact us. There will be a few more pieces featuring it, which we will post about in the coming weeks and months.
Gifts are older than and not unique to people; spiders are known to give gifts! They are given in thanks, to attract mates, in celebration, as a show of kindness or support, or to mark a particular milestone or achievement. Over the next several weeks many of us will spend a lot of time thinking about who we would like to buy or make gifts for, and what they might like. Giving good gifts takes that one step further.
The gift you are giving is a thing-in-itself, whether it be time, a cake you have made or a bottle of wine. And what is that thing? What is its story? If it were a car, what is under its hood? Is it organic, fair trade, recycled, in any way sustainable or ethical? Does it support disadvantaged communities, does it protect the environment?
And does anyone have time to do that much research?
Luckily, in the UK, Social Enterprise UK and B Lab have done this work for you. They evaluate businesses and understand the story behind their products and services. If you are going to buy something look for these logos (among others), they are the best way to ensure you are giving truly good gifts.
This may not seem important, but after a dizzying scan through the available online statistics it looks like the Great British Public spent £77.56 billion on Christmas in 2016 and over 20 billion of that was on gifts. Yes, these are billions of pounds.
Think of this money as an investment in good businesses, ones that are designed to solve problems and designed to give back. Think of it as a downpayment on the future that is more likely to be better for everyone’s Grandchildren. Year round spending matters too, but Christmas is about goodness, it is about giving, sharing and celebrating. So why not Give Good Gifts?
Are we biased? Yes, Elvis & Kresse is both a Social Enterprise and a B Corp. We make no apologies for doing our absolute best to be a very, very good business.
The Burberry Foundation today announces the launch of a five-year partnership with Elvis & Kresse, a sustainable luxury company creating lifestyle accessories by re-engineering waste material through innovative craftsmanship. Elvis & Kresse have received a grant from the Burberry Foundation to support their work and will also transform at least 120 tonnes of leather off cuts from the production of Burberry products into a range of accessories and homeware, designed and sold by Elvis & Kresse. Half of the profits from this range will be donated to charitable causes focused on renewable energy. The remaining half will be reinvested by Elvis & Kresse to expand their work in reducing and reusing waste, protecting the environment and inspiring craftspeople.
It is estimated that each year, at least 800,000 tonnes of leather waste are produced by the global leather industry*. In the creation of leather goods, even when patterns are carefully planned to maximise the hide, the process inevitably creates small off cuts. These are high quality, unused, freshly tanned and dyed leather, but fall to the workshop floor as seemingly unusable pieces. Elvis & Kresse has designed a system that transforms these fragments into components, which are then hand woven into a new kind of hide that is unrestricted by size or shape.
By demonstrating what can be achieved when leather waste is revalued, and created into entirely new products, Elvis & Kresse and the Burberry Foundation aim to affect real change in the supply chain of the leather goods industry. Where leather waste is usually destroyed, the partnership with Elvis & Kresse will disrupt the accepted approaches and reveal new solutions.
Christopher Bailey, a trustee of The Burberry Foundation and President and Chief Creative Officer of Burberry Group, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the work of Elvis & Kresse and providing them with the leather off cuts to create truly innovative products. Leather is a precious material, yet many of the off cuts generated by the design process are seen as worthless. We believe that this can change, and we are proud to lead the way in showing how creativity and craftsmanship can play a part in solving this issue.”
Kresse Wesling, CoFounder of Elvis & Kresse, said: “Elvis & Kresse was founded to rescue London’s fire hose. When we decided to tackle the much, much larger leather problem, we knew we would need a brave partner. We are grateful for the support of the Burberry Foundation and are truly excited to scale this solution, and magnify its impact. This is the kind of work we are made for and this is the kind of partnership that will change the future of luxury.”
In addition to creating new leather products, the partnership will also generate apprenticeship and work experience opportunities with Elvis & Kresse and reach thousands of people through public events, competitions and workshops.
The grant from the Burberry Foundation to Elvis & Kresse is also in line with Burberry’s new Responsibility agenda, of which a principal goal is to invent new approaches to revaluing waste over the next five years.
To view the first handcrafted pieces from this partnership please visit the following link - The Fire & Hide Collection by Elvis & Kresse
Media enquiries
Burberry: Cecilia Coonan, Cecilia.coonan@burberry.com
Elvis & Kresse: Kresse Wesling, kresse@elvisandkresse.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Elvis & Kresse and Burberry
Elvis & Kresse was launched to solve the problem of London’s decommissioned fire hose. When the hose was too damaged to repair, it was simply going to landfill. Since 2005 they have been collecting all of London’s hoses, transforming them into high quality, hand-crafted lifestyle accessories. They donate 50% of the profits from this collection to the Fire Fighters Charity.
Elvis & Kresse have also turned their attention to tackling the waste created in the production of leather goods and will expand this work with a grant from the Burberry Foundation.
Elvis & Kresse are a certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp).
The Burberry Foundation
The Burberry Foundation was set up in 2008 by Burberry Group plc as an independent charity (UK registered charity number 1154468) for general charitable purposes and grant-making. The Foundation Board comprises two Burberry representatives as well as an independent trustee. The Board meets four times a year and is responsible for upholding the Foundation’s vision and ensuring delivery of its charitable purpose.
The Foundation is dedicated to using the power of creativity to drive positive change in our communities, and build a sustainable future through innovation. The Foundation is taking a long-term approach focusing its grant-making on reducing waste, promoting the STEAM agenda (integrating art into the traditional science, technology, engineering, and maths agenda), tackling educational inequality and supporting social and economic development.
About Burberry Group’s Responsibility Agenda
Burberry’s Responsibility agenda is designed to drive positive change and build a more sustainable future through innovation. Our new five-year programme “Creating Tomorrow’s Heritage” focuses on three ambitious goals:
*United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Leather and Leather Products Industry Panel, December 2000
