Members' Zone

At this year’s Positive Luxury Awards 2026, MCM was recognised as Fashion Business of the Year – a reflection of the brand demonstrating its commitment to shaping a more responsible, future-focused vision of luxury. Rooted in craftsmanship, cultural innovation and a spirit of constant evolution, MCM continues to shape what modern luxury looks like for a new generation of global consumers. In this interview, we speak with MCM to explore how responsibility is being embedded across every area of the business – from sourcing and innovation to operations and consumer engagement. They share the thinking behind their approach, the importance of resilience and accountability, and how sustainability is helping drive long-term value for both people, planet and business.

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What inspired you to take part in the Positive Luxury Awards and what does this recognition mean to your brand and team?

At MCM Worldwide, we believe today’s luxury must continuously evolve to reflect the values of a new generation of global consumers – one that values creativity, innovation, craftsmanship and responsibility equally. Participating in the Positive Luxury Awards felt like a natural extension of our commitment to shaping a more conscious future for the luxury industry. For our brand and teams, this recognition represents more than an achievement. It reflects the collective effort behind embedding sustainability and innovation into the way we create, collaborate, and grow. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the progress we have made while reinforcing our ambition to continue driving positive change across fashion, culture, and luxury.

How does sustainability influence your business decisions and why is taking action so important to you? 

Sustainability plays an increasingly important role in how MCM approaches business decisions across design, sourcing, operations, retail, partnerships, and long-term strategy. As a global luxury brand with deep roots in craftsmanship and cultural expression, we recognise the responsibility we have to contribute to a more thoughtful and future-focused industry. Sustainability is no longer an “add-on” to our business decisions, it is the primary filter through which those decisions are made, including:

• Integrated sourcing: Every new material must undergo an environmental impact assessment before it ever reaches the design table. We collaborate across all functions – from sourcing to marketing – to ensure information flow and ethical strategy execution.
• Future-proofing the brand: Taking action is vital because we are moving into an era of radical accountability. It is our responsibility to position MCM as a leader that plays an active role in improving the lives of our employees and partners.
• Innovation over followership: We believe in playing a leadership role in the industry rather than being a follower. Action is the difference between a brand that simply survives and a brand that leaves a legacy.

Following a challenging couple of years for many businesses, how have you upheld your dedicated approach to positive change and resilience as core pillars of your strategy?

The past few years reinforced the importance of adaptability, agility, and staying anchored in our core values. While many were cutting back, we invested in high-level organisational task forces to map our logistics and supply chain data and in ensuring a data & AI-driven decarbonisation platform. And we continued investing in innovative materials. We’ve moved beyond high-level promises to a three-year plan with clear, measurable targets that are integrated into our core business model. By constantly benchmarking ourselves against industry peers, we ensured that we stayed ahead of global mandates, treating compliance not as a burden but as a competitive advantage. Our Sustainability Initiative (SI) Committee provides unified leadership bridging Sustainability and Operations, the committee members have ensured that ethical and environmental standards are reflected in our daily operations and executive decisions.

How has your sustainability journey built trust with your consumers and added value for your internal teams?

MCM’s sustainability journey has strengthened trust by creating deeper alignment between our brand values and the expectations of today’s luxury consumers. Transparency, authenticity, and accountability are increasingly important to our audience, and we understand that trust is built through consistent action and continuous progress. We’ve shifted toward third-party certifications like GOTS and rigorous material impact assessments. When a consumer sees an MCM hangtag, they aren’t just seeing a logo; they are seeing a verified claim of organic integrity and social responsibility. Sustainability is no longer a siloed department; it’s a culture. We’ve held workshops with senior management and key functions to build a shared sense of mission and run global sustainability training for all employees. By creating “sustainability material toolkits” for our design teams, we’ve empowered our creatives to innovate using resources that reduce our overall environmental footprint. Our recent Digital Product Passport initiative allows consumers to scan a QR code to see the full journey of their item. Internally, this same data stream has streamlined our administrative and legal management systems, creating a “single source of truth” that everyone trusts.

For leaders who want to create lasting value and build trust, what would you say is possible when sustainability is treated as an investment?

When sustainability is approached as a long-term investment, it becomes a powerful driver of innovation, resilience, and meaningful growth. At MCM, we believe sustainability has the ability to create value far beyond compliance – from strengthening consumer trust and attracting talent to encouraging innovation and future-proofing the business. Luxury brands have a unique opportunity to lead cultural and industry-wide transformation. By treating sustainability as an integral part of business strategy rather than a separate initiative, leaders can build stronger connections with consumers, create more resilient organisations, and contribute to a future where luxury and responsibility evolve together.