FASHION & ACCESSORIES
HELEN KAMINSKI
Iconic Craft for 40 Years. Helen Kaminski is synonymous with style, integrity and authenticity. Renowned for beautiful, sustainably minded accessories that are handcrafted with longevity in mind, combining the heritage of traditional artisan skills with modern design and innovation.
SUSTAINABILITY PURPOSE
Helen Kaminski are on a journey to create a more sustainable future. Creating fashion with a conscience, one that leaves a positive impact on people, animals and the planet. It’s a journey that’s underway, and they're passionate about contributing to a better tomorrow through the actions they take today. Helen Kaminski believe that fashion should be designed with longevity in mind. High quality pieces crafted with Integrity, Authenticity, Craftpersonship and People & Planet in mind - these are the values they are committed to, every step of the way. They recognise that their actions have an impact on the environment and are continually looking at new ways to reduce and improve their environmental impact; waste reduction, greater traceability across their supply chain, responsible sourcing, environmentally preferred materials, innovation and the wellbeing and development of their people and their artisan community, including the communities where they make their products is central to their ethos. Placing sustainability at the heart of their processes, Helen Kaminski are committed to continually seeking and actioning – better ways of doing.
Established
1983
Headquarters
Sydney, Australia
First Certified
2023
Employees
25-30
Website
Distribution
Worldwide
A WORD FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
Positive Luxury’s certification will hold our company accountable for its actions, ensuring that we adhere to the highest standards of sustainability and ethical conduct. Through the certification process, Helen Kaminski will become better informed about best practice solution to address ESG+ challenges and drive innovation. This ongoing guidance will empower the company to drive change, foster trust and greater transparency and to make more responsible decisions, minimise our environmental footprint, and positively impact society.
MARY BARCLAY
GENERAL MANAGER
BUTTERFLY MARK TESTIMONIAL
Positive Luxury’s certification will hold our company accountable for its actions, ensuring that we adhere to the highest standards of sustainability and ethical conduct. Through the certification process, Helen Kaminski will become better informed about best practice solutions to address ESG+ challenges and drive innovation. This ongoing guidance will empower the company to drive change, foster trust and greater transparency and to make more responsible decisions, minimise our environmental footprint, and positively impact society.
Case study
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING
Helen Kaminski strives to minimise its environmental impact and ensures the longevity of its supply chain. When selecting materials, fabrics and yarns must have a minimum of 50% natural or certified recycled fibres. Suppliers are chosen based on their ability to meet sustainability requirements as well as their transparency in their practices and willingness to work collaboratively to achieve mutual sustainability goals. These measures are achieved through monitoring supplier performance, identifying opportunities for cost savings, and exploring new sustainable sourcing options.
Case study
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Helen Kaminski believes that a thriving community is built upon the collective efforts and engagement of its members. With their focus being on collaboration, education, and meaningful partnerships, Helen Kaminski are currently working with Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) to support the creation of materials for the “Best Practice for Indigenous Fashion”. The purpose of this project is to connect artisans to markets, grow capability, build networks and their businesses as well as ensuring art centres are equipped with all the tools and information necessary to interact in the fashion world in a way that benefits themselves and the community. Additionally, Helen Kaminski is distributing free sanitary products to all their female staff at Artisans Lanka, in addition to having a free of charge nurse on site to provide further education around female health. The company also has a group life insurance policy in place for all full time staff at Artisans Lanka.
Case study
WATER MANAGEMENT
Helen Kaminski’s primary workspace in Sri Lanka has a sophisticated water treatment facility, which processes wastewater on-site before safely reusing it in the supply chain. Through recycling wastewater for water-intensive dyeing processes, Helen Kaminski currently reuses – and saves – up to 2000 litres of water per day. Water that isn’t recycled for dyeing is used to maintain the on-premises garden, drastically reducing the company’s overall demand for water. By recycling wastewater, Helen Kaminski is not only able to reduce the company’s water expenses, but also ease pressure on Sri Lanka’s natural bodies of water and valuable groundwater.
