On Wednesday 28 October, Baptist World Aid (BWA) released their ‘2020 Special Edition COVID Ethical Fashion Report’ in place of their annual ‘Ethical Fashion Guide’. Cue was celebrated in the report for our commitment to supply chain partners during the global pandemic and recognised for providing substantial evidence around the areas of focus.

The industry leading report distilled the elements normally examined in their annual ‘Ethical Fashion Report’ to those most salient to the COVID-19 crisis. Six key commitments that fashion companies needed to make to their supply chain workers were identified. They focussed on the protection of local and international supply chains and garment workers during the pandemic.
Depending on the amount of evidence provided, companies were categorised into one of the following three tiers: ‘all’, ‘some’ or ‘no evidence’ provided. We are incredibly proud to say that Cue sits within the ‘all’ category.

Justin Levis, Cue Clothing Co. Executive Director, said: “I am pleased that Cue has been commended in the ‘2020 Special Edition COVID Ethical Fashion Report’. This recognition is a reflection of the strong relationships we have built with our supply chain partners over the past 25+ years. I’m proud of our Cue family for their flexibility and resilience during the most challenging year we have encountered as a business. Everyone has really pulled together! This year has been testament to our commitment and responsibility to protect our supply chain partners, without whom we couldn’t operate.”

A case study within the report shines a spotlight on our proactive response to changes in demand on local manufacturers and suppliers. Cue was selected as a best-case example for our evidence of the report’s ‘Commitment 1: Maintaining Supplier Commitments’. When all 222 of our Cue Clothing Co.  stores across Australia and New Zealand temporarily closed in March 2020, garment production was considerably reduced. We quickly repurposed our Australian manufacturing facilities to sew scrubs for the St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. The initiative not only helped healthcare workers, but it also protected the livelihood of our local manufacturers and suppliers, amidst a very hard time.

The report also applauds our flexibility to change production quantities and adapt the fulfilment delivery dates of our garment production. BWA attributed this agility as a fundamental reason many of our Australian and international garment workers have remained employed during the pandemic.

The unique approach we have to manufacturing helps to keep the business at the forefront of the Australian fashion industry. We have a longstanding commitment to our supply chain partners, some of which we’ve worked with for more than 25+ years. The report, as with previous years, sets a rising bar for brands as we all continue our journey toward a more ethical, sustainable and collaborative industry.

If you would like to see the full ‘2020 Special Edition COVID Ethical Fashion Report’ you can access it via wwwbaptistworldaid.org.au