PLAY PODCASTS
Stretching What’s Possible with Tapestry
Episode 149

Stretching What’s Possible with Tapestry

Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

July 18, 202333m 2s

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (op3.dev) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Show Notes

“A tapestry is made of many threads woven into one story. So are we.”


Tapestry, the parent company of renowned brands Kate Spade, Coach, and Stuart Weitzman, plays the vital role of seamlessly integrating the distinctive narratives, products, missions, values, and focus areas of each brand into a single tapestry. All three brands are united under Tapestry’s purpose – Stretch What’s Possible – which provides both cohesion and autonomy to each organization.


We invited David Casey, Chief Inclusion and Social Impact Officer, to unveil the company’s comprehensive approach to one of its most valuable stakeholders: its employees. In his first year, David immersed himself in the experiences of employees, gaining valuable insights into their realities, particularly with store associates. Equipped with this knowledge, Tapestry developed a framework focused on four core objectives to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity (EI&D).


Tapestry is also weaving new environmental practices into the way they source and sell, from embedding circularity into designer fashion through Coachtopia to supporting the World Wildlife Fund for responsible leather sourcing.


Listen for insights on:

  • Uniting brands with unique social impact focuses under a parent company’s purpose
  • Embracing circularity through second-generation designer products
  • Advice to the C-Suite on prioritizing equity as a company


Resources + Links:

  • (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
  • (00:13) - David Casey at Tapestry
  • (01:51) - David's Role
  • (04:08) - Active Listening
  • (05:45) - The Front Line
  • (07:06) - Calling It E, I, and D
  • (07:52) - How Tapestry Was Formed
  • (10:05) - To Stretch What's Possible
  • (11:16) - Each Brand's Approach
  • (13:55) - Circularity
  • (16:42) - Global Nature of Brands
  • (21:17) - Keeping Your Commitments
  • (24:23) - Employee Resource Groups
  • (26:09) - Partnership with WWF
  • (27:55) - Marine Background and Its Influences
  • (28:51) - Advice to Take to Heart
  • (30:11) - Last Word
  • (30:49) - Wrap Up

Topics

David CaseyTapestry