Maxine Bédat

Visionary Sustainability Expert, Award Winning Author & Entrepreneur

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Biography

Maxine Bedat is a renowned expert in sustainability, the future of business, and an acclaimed author known for her groundbreaking book, Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment. With a profound commitment to transforming industries towards more ethical and environmentally conscious practices, Bedat has become a leading voice in the pursuit of a more sustainable and equitable future. Read More >

As the co-founder of Zady, a trailblazing fashion brand celebrated for its commitment to transparency and sustainability, Bedat revolutionized the fashion industry. Under her guidance, Zady pioneered innovative approaches to responsible sourcing, supply chain transparency, and consumer education. Through Zady, Bedat demonstrated that fashion can be both stylish and sustainable, setting a new standard for the industry.

Beyond her accomplishments in the fashion sector, Bedat is renowned for her thought leadership and advocacy for sustainability in business. She has delivered captivating talks at prestigious conferences and events, captivating audiences with her insights on the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and profitability. Her ability to communicate complex concepts in a relatable manner has garnered her international recognition as a visionary thinker and strategist.

Recognizing the need for systemic change, she founded New Standard Institute, a think and do tank that brings together experts siloed across the fashion value chain to reshape the future of industry. Through this platform, Bedat fosters collaboration and drives collective action, amplifying the impact of sustainable practices across the entire fashion ecosystem. For this work, Bedat has been included in Fast Company's Most Creative in Business, Oprah's Super Soul100, and Business of Fashion's BoF500, the definitive index of people shaping the global fashion industry.

Her book Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment, a Financial Times book of the year, showcases Bedat's ability to delve into the intricacies of the fashion industry. It provides a comprehensive exploration of the environmental and social consequences of fast fashion, drawing from her legal and industry expertise. Through meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Bedat exposes the hidden journey of a garment, raising awareness about its true cost and inspiring audiences to embrace more sustainable choices.

In addition to her advocacy for sustainable fashion, Bedat is a passionate advocate for the future of business as a force for positive change. She envisions a world where profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive, and she actively promotes models that prioritize environmental stewardship, social justice, and long-term sustainability. Bedat's expertise in sustainable business practices positions her as a sought-after advisor and consultant for companies seeking to integrate sustainability into their core strategies.

Maxine Bedat's unwavering commitment to sustainability, her visionary leadership, her technical and legal expertise, and her ability to inspire and mobilize others have established her as a respected authority in the fields of sustainability and the future of business. With her expertise, she continues to shape the narrative surrounding responsible practices, empowering businesses, legislators and individuals to make a profound difference in building a more sustainable and inclusive world. Read Less ^

Speaker Videos

The High Cost of Our Cheap Fashion | Maxine Bédat | TEDxPiscataquaRiver

Innovating with a Purpose: Brands with Great Stories

Leaders Summit 2017 - Spotlight Story: Changing Mindsets

Speech Topics

What Your Organization Needs to Know About ESG

ESG has exploded as a framework in the past five years and is a rapidly evolving space, where it seems that requirements and measurements are constantly changing. Likewise, new laws and legal cases continue to appear. Navigating this new world is not easy, getting it wrong can be nothing short of an existential threat to a company. In this keynote, Maxine explains clearly this new normal and provides a window to upcoming legislation. She then lays out the practical steps the financial community and business leaders can take to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in this evolving environment.

How Our Clothing Explains the World & Your Role In It

In this globetrotting presentation, Maxine shares her insights traveling around the world following the creation, sale and ultimate destruction of a pair of jeans. Through this journey, Maxine shares the human story of our global economy, how it got this way, it’s heartbreaking toll on the world’s disadvantaged and shares an inspiring vision for a better way and the practical steps to achieve it for individuals, companies or policy makers.

Fixing the Global Fashion System

In this forward-thinking talk, Maxine Bedat provides a glimpse into the future of fashion and explores how innovation, collaboration, and systems change can shape a more sustainable industry. Drawing on her experience as a visionary entrepreneur and founder of New Standard Institute, Bedat shares insights on emerging technologies, circular economy principles, and disruptive business models that are reshaping the fashion landscape. She highlights the potential of cross-sector collaboration and collective action to drive meaningful change, emphasizing the need for industry-wide transformation and common sense regulation to address pressing environmental and social challenges. This talk inspires audiences to embrace innovation, think beyond traditional boundaries, and actively contribute to creating a future where fashion is a force for good.

Testimonials

“She was delightful, and won over an audience of cynical executives who feel that nobody from outside of the grocery business can speak to them. She was so well prepared that people crowded her for more than 30 minutes after her speech.”

- California Grocers Association