Following the release of IWC Schaffhausen’s second sustainability report, actor and producer Cate Blanchett connected virtually with IWC CMO Franziska Gsell to discuss sustainability. Sharing a mutual interest in the topic, they talked about IWC’s approach to actively managing its environmental and social impact, which has earned the brand a leadership role in sustainable luxury watchmaking.
Cate Blanchett, renowned actor and producer has been an IWC brand ambassador since 2006. The two-time Academy Award® winner joined IWC CMO Franziska Gsell, who is also the chair of the brand’s sustainability committee, for a discussion via video conference.
“When Franziska and I first met in 2015, we quickly discovered our mutual interest in sustainability topics," said Cate Blanchett. "It is more important than ever for brands to review their environmental footprint and take concrete steps towards sustainability. The notion of transparency is key because clients want to know how a luxury product is manufactured.”
“Cate and I often speak about sustainability, and it’s truly a topic that is close to both of our hearts," added Franziska Gsell. "It was a great honour to connect with her virtually, and I appreciate her shining a light on the efforts that we are undertaking on our journey to become a fully sustainable luxury company.”
During their conversation, Blanchett and Gsell discussed the longevity of IWC’s mechanical timepieces, which are engineered to last for generations. They also spoke about the importance of protecting the environment through purchasing renewable energy and reducing
waste. For example, IWC’s new packaging is also a travel pouch which can be used for years rather than thrown away. Another focal point was the responsible sourcing of raw materials and IWC’s certification to the 2019 Code of Practices of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
IWC recently released its sustainability report 2020
In July, IWC released the second edition of its sustainability report by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, underscoring its leadership in sustainable luxury watchmaking. In 2018, IWC was the first Swiss luxury watch company to publish a report using these global best practice standards. In the new report, the company describes how it performed against the targets that were defined in 2018 and publishes new goals to reach by 2022. The publication of the biennial report illustrates IWC’s progress in integrating sustainability into everyday decision-making and managing its social and environmental impact responsibly.
The video of the conversation between Cate Blanchett and Franziska Gsell is now live on IWC’s social media channels and iwc.com.
