Sustainable fashion requires transparency, imagination, and collaboration across the entire industry. Our mission at DL1961 is to design jeans and apparel that push sustainability and technology forward without compromising on comfort, performance, or style. I believe denim can make you feel good—not only in the way you look—but also in the knowledge that you’re supporting a company that has both you and the planet in mind.

I often joke that my blood runs indigo. My family started a denim mill more than thirty years ago because my mother (DL1961 Cofounder Maliha Ahmed) wanted to pioneer something new. She took Pakistan’s rich history in textile manufacturing and paired it with my father’s background in tech to build what is now the only denim mill that oversees the entire process from fiber and spinning, to finished garment.

Growing up in the factory, I absorbed the ins and outs of the denim business. I learned the importance of using only what’s needed, reducing waste, and creating products that last.

Sustainability has always been at the core of DL1961. Pakistan is a place with finite resources, especially water. That drove us to innovate with our manufacturing, by asking: How can we produce the highest quality product, using as few resources as possible while running a profitable business? This has caused us to continually invest in new technologies that save on water and power, like using fibers that reduce the need for water during washing and dying. We’ve also partnered with companies like Lenzing and Recover™ to create soft, luxe, and durable denim using regenerative fibers that have a lower environmental impact.

DL1961 is proof that sustainability can be done at scale and profit, without sacrificing quality. Fashion accounts for 8–10% of global emissions, and real change demands collective action. That’s why signing The Climate Pledge was a natural and necessary next step. As the first denim brand to join the Pledge, we’re proud to lead by example and to show that even in one of fashion’s most resource-heavy categories, decarbonization is not only possible—it’s essential.

By joining the Pledge, we’re doubling down on our commitment to transparency and measurable progress. We’ll continue tracking our greenhouse gas emissions, applying decarbonization strategies aligned with leading climate science, and offsetting what remains through trusted, nature-based solutions. To keep ourselves on track, we’ve set ambitious benchmarks, including:

• By 2026: Become climate-positive, offsetting more emissions than we produce.
  
• By 2030: Cut our global carbon footprint in half—largely by reducing reliance on air freight.
  
• By 2040: Reach net-zero carbon emissions in line with the Pledge’s goals.
  

 

With the Pledge’s support, we’re exploring the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the 10% of our goods shipped by air and looking to establish a partnership with the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) to lower emissions across our sea freight.

DL1961 was also an early adopter of data-driven accountability. Each product we make is evaluated using Jeanologia’s Environmental Impact Measurement software to gauge environmental impact at the SKU level. Being part of the Pledge pushes us even further. With access to Passport, direct support from climate advisors, and a collective framework for progress, we’re even better equipped to expand our impact and scale smarter solutions.

Staying true to our values of transparency, we’re now releasing an annual impact report, built on detailed, methodical tracking from fiber to final product. We have also created corresponding video content filmed behind-the-scenes at the DL1961 factory:

Climate change is a collective challenge, and it demands bold action. Reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 won’t be easy—but it is possible if we work together. At DL1961, we’re here to lead with purpose, challenge old assumptions, and prove that real, sustainable transformation can and will happen. 

DL1961 is a New York City-based sustainable contemporary essentials brand offering elevated denim, knits, and ready-to-wear for women, men, kids, and pets. Read more about DL1961’s sustainability initiatives here.

DL1961 signed The Climate Pledge on August 28, 2024.