TheIndustry.fashion Awards Winners' Interview: Donna Stamp, Ethics & Sustainability Circular Economy Manager, John Lewis

What are the core values that drive John Lewis and how are they reflected in the business?

John Lewis's core values are rooted in its unique ownership structure, wherein employees - known as "Partners" - collectively own the company. This model fosters a profound commitment among Partners to deliver exceptional customer service, maintain uncompromising quality, and uphold principles of fairness and trust. These values are consistently reflected across all areas of operation, from retail management and product curation to supplier engagement, and are underpinned by our purpose of working in partnership for a happier world.

What is John Lewis’s overarching sustainable sourcing strategy for fashion, and how does it align with the company’s wider environmental goals?

In the realm of fashion, John Lewis has established a comprehensive sustainable sourcing strategy. Our main focus areas include transitioning to more sustainable options across our key materials, embedding circular design into our standard business practices, safeguarding human rights within our supply chain, and delivering on our net zero climate targets.

What was the significance of winning the award for sustainable sourcing (fabrics and fashion)?

Attaining awards for sustainable sourcing in fashion holds significant importance for John Lewis. Such accolades validate our progress, reinforce our reputation as a responsible retailer, and inspire broader industry adoption of sustainable practices.

How else has John Lewis introduced sustainable practices into the business for customers (e.g. preloved, repair, rental) and for business?

Beyond sourcing, John Lewis has implemented a range of sustainable initiatives, including:

• Fashion rental, launched in 2022 with womenswear and expanded to include menswear in 2024.

• Take-back schemes across fashion and beauty, with Beautycycle launched in 2019 and Fashioncycle in 2022.

• Repair services, now offered through Timpson, rolled out to all stores this year following an initial trial in July 2024.

• A comprehensive packaging strategy aimed at reducing our environmental impact, guided by three core principles: less, better, and more circular.

John Lewis recently expanded its fashion offer, can you tell me about this and what you hope to achieve?

Last year, the company launched a circular design collection, a significant step towards sustainable fashion through reusability and recyclability. The success of this collection is expected to guide future circular design initiatives.

It also launched a circular design collection last year – can you tell us about this, why it’s important and how it’s performing? Any plans for expansion?

This collection focused on designing for recyclability, durability, and increasing the use of recycled content across 20 products in 5 different categories, ranging from women’s nightwear to men’s knitwear and filled bedding. Its importance lies in demonstrating our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and meeting customer demand for sustainable choices. We plan to expand circular design across more fashion ranges, working with suppliers and investing in new materials and processes, aiming to make circularity fundamental to our fashion offering

Having brought back the ‘never knowingly undersold’ pledge last year, what has the response been like to this and why is it important for your strategy?

The reinstatement of the "Never Knowingly Undersold" pledge was a notable strategic decision. Customer reception has been incredibly positive, as it reinforces John Lewis's commitment to value and trust. This pledge is a cornerstone of our strategy to attract and retain customers, assuring competitive pricing while upholding our reputation for quality and service.

What can customers expect from John Lewis over the next year?

We're really strengthening our style credentials with great new designs and collaborations - but we'll do this in a way that reinforces our commitment to sustainability, maintaining transparent communication about our progress.

As the Sustainable Sourcing (fabrics and fashion) award was sponsored by Source Fashion, we asked Event Director Suzanne Ellingham about what sourcing innovations or material trends are currently gaining traction among exhibitors and buyers at its event. Plus, what major trends they see shaping the future of the fashion industry, and how is Source positioned to help brands and suppliers stay ahead of these changes.

Could you give us an overview of Source Fashion and explain what sets it apart from other trade shows in the fashion industry calendar?

Source Fashion is Europe’s leading responsible sourcing show, and what sets it apart is that we’ve created a platform the industry genuinely needed, and they’ve made it their own. From day one, our ethos has been about challenging buyers and retailers to do better business, connecting them with manufacturers who share that commitment. We bring together fully audited producers from over 25 countries, from small artisans to large-scale manufacturers, so visitors can create their ranges with confidence, knowing that quality, accountability, and ethical practices are at the core of every product.

But the show is more than just sourcing. We’ve built a space where transparency, innovation, and responsible practices are central. Buyers can attend seminars and debates on sustainability, circularity, and supply chain visibility, explore immersive experiences like our, new for this season, Fashion Deconstructed zone to understand construction and durability, and connect directly with manufacturers who can demonstrate the full journey of their products. Ultimately, Source Fashion is about helping businesses do better business, foster meaningful relationships, and create lasting impact, and that’s why buyers return year after year.

How has Source Fashion evolved since its inception?

It’s been an incredible journey. From the start, our ambition was to create a platform that would challenge the industry to source ethically and transparently while connecting with responsible manufacturers. What’s been humbling is the response from the community, season after season, the show has grown, and in just three years we’ve outgrown our original space to take over the Grand Hall at Olympia.

The growth isn’t just numbers; it’s impact. Buyers know they can source products from across the globe while being confident in quality, traceability, and ethical standards. Over time, we’ve introduced new country pavilions and expanded content that addresses sourcing challenges, from legislation and circularity to sustainability. Source Fashion has evolved in line with the industry’s priorities, becoming a space where education, responsible sourcing, and relationship-building all converge. That’s what makes the show both relevant today and future focused.

What are the key benefits for both exhibitors and attendees?

For exhibitors, Source Fashion provides unparalleled access to brands, retailers, and sourcing teams who are actively seeking responsible and transparent supply chain solutions. These buyers aren’t just browsing, they’re sourcing with purpose and coming prepared to engage. Our show has always been for makers and manufacturers of all sizes, and we make sure everyone can connect with the right partners.

For visitors, the benefits are equally clear. Whether they want to reduce minimum order quantities, explore sustainable materials, or future-proof their sourcing strategies, we help them find the right partners. Our new tech-enabled matchmaking app allows exhibitors to reach out to buyers ahead of the show, arrange meetings, and make those connections more personalised, measurable, and productive, even after the doors close.

Beyond transactions, our content programme is a major draw. We tackle the real challenges facing fashion today, from supply chain resilience and ethical sourcing to pricing pressures and shifting consumer behaviour. The Source Debates stage encourages honest conversations about the bumps in the road, not just the successes, so attendees can learn from real experiences and apply those lessons in their own businesses. Ultimately, Source Fashion is more than a trade show, it’s where meaningful relationships, education, and responsible sourcing come together.

What sourcing innovations or material trends are currently gaining traction among exhibitors and buyers at the event?

Right now, several exciting trends are shaping sourcing. Circularity is at the forefront, buyers are increasingly looking for garments that are durable, repairable, and designed with end-of-life recycling in mind. Our Fashion Deconstructed zone gives them hands-on insight into good construction, helping them understand how design choices can extend a product’s lifecycle.

On materials, there’s growing momentum around low-impact and regenerative fibres, from traceable alpaca and organic cotton to recycled synthetics. Even small adjustments, like reducing man-made fibres in blends, make a real difference for recyclability. We’ve also seen practical innovation in upcycling and restyled garments.

Traceability is another key focus. Buyers want visibility across the supply chain, using tools like digital product passports and working with certified, responsible manufacturers. Taken together, these trends reflect a wider mindset shift: brands and buyers are prioritising transparency, sustainability, and circularity in ways that are commercially viable and directly relevant to sourcing today. At Source Fashion, we bring all this together, showing what’s possible while helping buyers make informed, responsible decisions.

Looking ahead, what major trends do you see shaping the future of the fashion industry – and how is Source Fashion positioned to help brands and suppliers stay ahead of these changes?

We’re entering an era where resilience and responsibility are non-negotiable. Fashion businesses face supply chain disruption and evolving consumer expectations, and the ones that thrive will embrace agility, transparency, and innovation. At Source Fashion, our broader vision is really about connection and impact. By bringing the right buyers together with the right manufacturers, we can create meaningful change, not just in sourcing, but in communities around the world.

As we grow, we want to welcome more countries to the show floor, support more community programmes, and continue providing buyers with variety, newness, and trusted partners. Through our content programme, seminars, and partnerships with thought leaders like WRAP, we help attendees tackle challenges from hidden waste streams to post-growth profitability. Ultimately, our responsibility is to help businesses source better and more responsibly, embedding ethical and sustainable practices at the heart of every transaction. By doing this consistently, we can equip brands and suppliers to stay ahead of industry changes and drive real, lasting impact in the global fashion supply chain.

TheIndustry.fashion People, Planet & Purpose Awards will be back for 2026. Find out more at theindustry.fashion/awards/. For sponsorship enquiries, please email [email protected]