ABOUT YSL
Founded in 1961, Yves Saint Laurent is one of the great fashion names of the 20th century.
The first couture house to introduce the concept of luxury prêt-à-porter in a 1966 collection called ‘Rive Gauche’, Yves Saint Laurent revolutionized the socio-cultural landscape.
The shift represented a first and critical step in the modernization of fashion, making it accessible to a wider public. In 1999, the luxury goods division of the PPR Group acquired Yves Saint Laurent and under the creative direction of Stefano Pilati since 2004 has positioned the house at the summit of the luxury universe.
The exceptional legacy of Yves Saint Laurent has thus been renewed and a contemporary identity at once forged through innovative collections that marry elegance, refinement, French chic and timeless style.
Today Yves Saint Laurent’s collections include women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, small leather goods, jewelry, scarves, ties and eyewear.
California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010
Corporate Disclosure
The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (SB 657) requires California businesses to disclose their efforts to address the issues of slavery and human trafficking, thereby allowing consumers to make better, more-informed choices regarding the products they buy and the companies they choose to support.
Yves Saint Laurent (“YSL”) has taken steps to evaluate the risks of forced labor in our supply chain. Within YSL, procurement falls into two broad categories: (1) sourcing of raw materials such as textiles and leather; and (2) procurement of other types of goods and services to support the day-to-day running of our operations, such as energy, manufacturing, and office equipment. Although the social impact of the goods and services that YSL purchases often lies outside our direct control, where possible, we have taken proactive steps to ensure the absence of slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain.
YSL is part of PPR Luxury Group (formerly known as “Gucci Group”), which has certified several of its businesses under Social Accountability International’s (SAI) SA8000 standard. SA8000 sets out a strong approach concerning forced labor and provides guidance to suppliers and business partners regarding responsible sourcing. SA8000 includes an endorsement by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Among other things, SA8000 specifically forbids the use of forced or involuntary labor as defined in ILO Convention 29, including employment of people under the age of 15, unless a higher age is required by law, in which case the higher age applies. While several of PPR Luxury Group’s businesses have certification under SA8000, the Group continues its commitment to bring all of its businesses into compliance with SA8000 and obtain certification.
As part of SA8000, YSL’s suppliers, subcontractors and subsuppliers will be required to make a written commitment to all SA8000 requirements, participate in monitoring activities as requested by YSL, promptly resolve any nonconformance with SA8000, and notify YSL concerning any relevant business relationships. Moreover, by virtue of our adherence to SA8000, YSL will be subject to announced and unannounced audits to determine compliance with the SA8000 standard, and YSL’s suppliers are subject to the same. PPR Luxury Group’s standard supply agreements already refer to and adopt the SA8000 requirements, obligating its suppliers to comply with the standard. The brands of PPR Luxury Group also often use several of the same suppliers, subcontractors and subsuppliers, so to the extent that businesses of the Group are already certified, other businesses of the Group that are not yet certified have been well positioned to be in compliance with SA8000 and obtain formal certification.
PPR Luxury Group’s internal policies also articulate the Group’s determination to rid its supply chain of human trafficking and forced labor. For example, PPR Luxury Group’s Code of Business Practices Ethics Guide states that its businesses will not tolerate child or forced labor in the production of its products.
YSL expects and depends on our managers and employees to uphold a zero-tolerance policy regarding forced labor. As such, YSL has taken steps to increase employee awareness and compliance regarding slavery and human trafficking issues. PPR Luxury Group’s Business Practices Ethics Guide is provided to all employees and suppliers. Employees are encouraged to report violations of the Business Practices Ethics Guide. Moreover, as part of SA8000 certification, the standard will be displayed at business locations to inform personnel about PPR Luxury Group’s voluntary commitment to this standard and its requirements. PPR Luxury Group will provide a confidential way for YSL personnel to report nonconformance with SA8000 to management and, where appropriate, YSL provides and requires specific training programs regarding supply chain issues.