The former director of sustainability for luxury group Kering, Burak Cakmak was instrumental in developing sustainability strategies for brands such as Gucci, Stella McCartney and Bottega Veneta. In 2016, Burak joined the Parsons School of Design as Dean of Fashion overseeing the BFA in Fashion Design, AAS degree programs in Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing, and the MFA in Fashion Design and Society.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of social responsibility and the next generation of fashion professionals.
As dean of fashion at Parsons School of Design, Burak Cakmak’s agenda includes educating the next generation of fashion creatives about the importance of social responsibility, not just relating to the environment, but to wider political and social issues including feminism and inclusivity.
Burak Cakmak’s 15-year-strong background in sustainability informed his initiative to make the topic a key focus at the prestigious institution. He also created scholarships at Parsons and Central Saint Martins in London and spearheaded the Swarovski Waterschool Initiative’s education program.
His career in the fashion industry began in 2000, serving as Gap Inc.’s senior manager of social responsibility. After eight years, he relocated to London and was hired by Kering to lead sustainability strategies for the luxury group’s brands — including Gucci, Stella McCartney and Bottega Veneta — as its first director of corporate sustainability.
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MINDED is an outlet for people who want to learn from industry and creative leaders that have an innate drive for excellence. Our guests set themselves apart by challenging the norm and pushing ideas forward. In a never-ending pursuit to succeed, we thrive to have an in-depth conversation about life, business and the world we live in. Hosted by Yuri Xavier.
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