Good Fashion Fund launched to invest in supply chain innovation

The Good Fashion Fund was launched on Wednesday spearheading systemic change in the apparel and footwear supply chain by investing in the implementation of innovative technologies in Bangladesh, India and Vietnam.

The USD 60 million fund for Bangladesh, India and Vietnam is going to provide impact lending tools to finance investments in supply chain innovations, said a statement.

Initiated by Fashion for Good, the Fund is a collaboration between C&A Foundation, Hong Kong-based The Mills Fabrica and FOUNT, an impact investment firm.

"The Good Fashion Fund will be officially announced at the Hong Kong Fashion Summit by C&A Foundation Board Director Albert Brenninkmeijer and Fund Director Bob Assenberg today (Thursday)", the statement added.

With a target size of USD 60m, the Good Fashion Fund is the first investment fund focused solely on driving the implementation of innovative solutions in the fashion industry. Currently, apparel supply chains are plagued by their negative environmental and social impacts. But while sustainable solutions do exist today, there is a lack of capital available to scale these technologies within the supply chain. The Fund was created to address this gap - connecting the most promising technologies to the industry to collaboratively tackle its challenges.

The new fund provides impact lending tools to finance investments in supply chain innovations specifically in India, Bangladesh and Vietnam as well as other areas throughout Asia. The fund's blended structure combines risk-tolerant capital with private sector investment that allows for flexibility and tailored financing to best fit each individual's situation.

The vision for the Good Fashion Fund is for manufacturers in the apparel supply chain to invest and reinvest in innovations that deliver both economic growth and good fashion practice, mobilising the use of safe and recyclable materials, clean and efficient energy, closed-loop manufacturing and the creation of fair jobs and growth, in line with the FIVE GOODS: Good Energy, Good Water, Good Materials, Good Economy and Good Lives.

Small to medium manufacturers whose products or services are in line with these criteria looking to implement best-in-class technology and equipment, will be eligible for funding. The Fund is also mandated to support larger manufacturers committed to investing in highly disruptive technologies.

Katrin Ley, Managing Director Fashion for Good said, "Disruptive innovation is needed to shift the Fashion Industry from a model of 'take-make-waste' towards a more circular and regenerative system. While the technology exists today to move forward towards circularity, it is not yet being scaled. The Good Fashion Fund provides the resources, tools and incentives needed to bridge the innovation gap, bringing these innovations to the mainstream."

Leslie Johnston, Executive Director C&A Foundation said, "We all know that 'business as usual' will not result in the fashion industry being a true force for good. Innovation is critically needed. And yet, without sufficient funding, many innovations are unable to scale. We are therefore proud to be an anchor investor in the Good Fashion Fund which - with its high risk appetite and focus on getting innovations into the supply chain - will address this finance gap."

Vanessa Cheung, Founder The Mills Fabrica said, "With the launch of the Good Fashion Fund, we are delighted to partner with C&A Foundation, Fashion for Good and FOUNT to create a new platform to address the financing gap for sustainable innovations. We look forward to supporting the Fund with our network and partners in Asia."

Bob Assenberg, Director Good Fashion Fund and FOUNT partner:

"We are thrilled to be working with Fashion for Good, C&A Foundation and The Mills Fabrica to generate substantial impact within the apparel value chain in Asia, an initiative that fits FOUNT's impact and sustainable investment strategy very well. The Fund demonstrates how to invest beyond sustainability towards a restorative and regenerative apparel supply chain and addresses the need in the local markets for long term financing for manufacturers and contributes to multiple SDGs."