Patrick Robinson, CEO & Founder of Paskho

The Caring Economy with Toby Usnik

"By the time I was 40, I had a great track record of designing for other people – Giorgio Armani, Anne Klein, Perry Ellis, Paco Rabanne – and I joined Gap to head up their global design team in 2007. But then I started hearing stories from our denim factories: The rivers downstream were blue from all the dyes, and the fish and the water that these communities depended on were becoming contaminated.
So I decided to do something about it: I committed to making sure that all the water leaving Gap’s denim factories would be cleaner than when it went in. We printed everything that we did for clean water on the garments – because I thought people cared and they should know. The initiative was a huge success. That was the first time I understood that if we could be smart about it, we could do good business that was also good for the environment.

Deep down inside, we don’t seek the meaning of life, but the experience of being alive.
- Joseph Campbell

A few years later my son and I were walking down our street in New York and he asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. At first, I laughed - but it was actually a great question. Because somewhere along the way I had stopped designing clothes and had become the guy who manages the people who design the clothes.
And then, on a backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park, I started thinking: Why is it that skiers, trekkers, and triathletes always get the best of what’s new in clothing? Their apparel is strong and light, water-repellant, nearly indestructible, resistant to sweat and bacteria, flexible, multifunctional, and comfortable for a long haul. As a lifelong adventurer, I dreamed of utilizing cutting-edge technology from fitness, backpacking, and adventure gear to design comfortable clothing that’s stylish enough to for work and play. I imagined going from a flight to a hike to a meeting to dinner wearing one completely comfortable, utterly beautiful, incredibly sustainable outfit - making it easier to focus on life's journey.

Paskho is built to suit the freedom-seeker and the maverick nomadic and the fearless observer, all together.
- Patrick Robinson

That idea became Paskho. First, I designed with reclaimed fabrics, which allowed me to create limited-edition pieces and prevent more waste from going into the landfill. As we grew, I worked with my fair trade factory to add sustainable textiles and reduce waste. We eliminated unnecessary plastic polybags, and from the very first day we donated a percentage of sales to environmental causes through 1% for the Planet. You can read more about our commitments on our sustainability page.
Paskho is built to suit the freedom-seeker and the maverick nomadic and the fearless observer, all together. It excites the possibility of discovery -both inward and outward. Paskho speaks to the interconnectedness of our world, and inspires you to find new greater personal freedoms.

I believe design has the capacity to elevate us emotionally and spiritually. Great design isn’t just a question of pretty aesthetics; it’s really a question of how we want to live our lives. I am honored that you have chosen to join me on this journey."
Don't forget to check out my book that inspired this podcast series, The Caring Economy: How to Win With Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).