My journey…

Design is at the heart of every product and brand. Everything you see, touch, and feel has been designed by someone.

Fashion is my love language. I fell in love with designing when I realized it was more than just making clothing. It is a way to be creative, to change how you feel or how people perceive you. Ultimately, it helps you find and connect with who you are and then share that amazingness with the world!

In my career, I have been fortunate enough to travel the globe launching brands for amazing companies including Versace and Hilfiger, as well as celebrities Jennifer Lopez and Ellen DeGeneres. In each position, I created and grew distinctive brands that reflected the personality of the person or label.

And yet, one day while I was designing another T-shirt for another collection, I wondered if the thing I was really creating was just more landfill? Having experienced the momentum of more deliveries with more products on shorter deadlines I knew I was contributing to fast fashion, but I felt there had to be a better way.

So, I took the time to educate myself during the pandemic. I enrolled in classes at Harvard studying Fashion Sustainability, Sustainable Product Design, the Circular Economy, Sustainable Supply Chains, Sustainable Marketing, and Sustainable Leadership for the 21st Century to name a few. I earned graduate certificates in Corporate Sustainability & Innovation and Environmental Policy & International Development within my first year. In May 2022, I earned my Master’s in Sustainability and graduated with Dean’s List honors.

I know some brands are afraid of opening the “sustainability” can of worms. They think it is a passing trend, that if they do it wrong they’ll be canceled, or that it will eat into their profit margin. People, Planet, or Profit? It doesn’t have to be either/or. Truly sustainable solutions consider ecosystems, equity, and economy, and can save money, boost finance, and strengthen the bottom line, even creating new revenue streams. Engineering a brand with purpose and integrity will only engage and grow customers.

Therefore, it is now my mission to use my skills, knowledge, and expertise to help brands make better decisions without compromising their design. If your brand needs support or has questions about becoming more sustainable or minimizing your product’s impact, please reach out to me for a consultation. Or if you’d like to invite me to speak on a panel, at a conference, or on your podcast, let’s connect. My email is peter@petermcl.com.

Let’s speak the same language. Together we can make a difference!