Lynda Grose


Lynda Grose is a designer in fashion and sustainability, educator, and consultant known for her pioneering work in sustainable fashion design.

Career

In 1990 Grose co-founded Esprit’s ecollection division, a five-year research and development project marketed in 13 countries, which is cited "as the first ecologically responsible clothing line developed by a major corporation" and in doing so, Grose "set pioneering standards for the textile industry". Her Ecollection was founded in response to Esprit's company-wide focus on environmental awareness, begun by Esprit co-founder Doug Tompkins. Grose's project began by researching the environmental impact of making Esprit clothing - from growing fibers, to dyeing, manufacturing and garment finishing. The Ecollection used organic cotton, and less toxic dyes as a first step. Grose also began contracting with crafts cooperatives to hand-knit sweaters and make buttons and jewelry from tagua nuts. Grose believed that community development and fair treatment of textile workers was as important a part of the project as using more sustainable materials.
Grose is Professor and Chair of the Fashion Design program at California College of the Arts. She is a founding member of The Center for Sustainable Design, Surrey, England, and the International Society for Sustainable Design, and the Sustainable Cotton Project.

Work

Lynda Grose co-authored with Dr. Kate Fletcher the book Fashion and Sustainability Design for Change. She has published in journals and magazines and has contributed to 'Opening up the Wardrobe: a methods book', 'Fashion Fibers: Designing for Sustainability',, 'The Routledge Handbook on Sustainable Fashion, Sustainable Textiles: Life Cycle and Environmental Impact, and Sustainability in Fashion and Textiles: Values, Design, Production and Consumption''.

Awards and nominations

In 2007, she was listed on Grist's list of “15 Green Fashionistas".