Alumni pioneer ethical, stylish, sustainable fashion
Jeff Denby and Jason Kibbey, both MBA 08, made stewarding the health of the planet fashionable. The pair set out to create a unique, design-driven, organic clothing brand with a fully transparent supply chain. And they did just that. PACT introduced sustainably manufactured cotton garments that don’t harm the Earth—with 10% of sales proceeds benefiting various environmental and humanitarian causes. Starting with a line of underwear for adults and the puckish tagline “Change starts with your underwear,” the company soon expanded to other clothing and baby items, creating both a fashion brand and a social movement.
2008
After graduating from Haas, Kibbey and Denby travel to four continents seeking the right factory. In Turkey, they assemble one of the first fully transparent apparel supply chains. Everything from seed to finished product occurs within a 100-mile radius.
2009
PACT Apparel launches with a line of sustainable underwear for adults made from organic cotton. Each print collection promotes a cause and a nonprofit. Items are packaged in a reusable cloth bag made from scraps and shipped with a compostable bag and address label. Online, customers can shop by cause, fit, or print.
2010
The company’s contribution to sustainable eco-fashion earns them multiple International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), a Core77 Design Award, and a prestigious Brit Insurance Designs of the Year Award.
2011
Now sold at Nordstrom and on Amazon, PACT becomes a certified B Corp, solidifying its commitment to social good. It’s acquired by Boulder, Colo.-based Revelry Brands. Kibbey steps down to join the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, eventually becoming CEO. Later, he founds Worldly, a platform for climate-impact intelligence.
2012
T-shirts and socks are added to the line. PACT socks launch in Whole Foods in the Midwest, California, and Texas. The supermarket chain will eventually become PACT’s biggest client, selling the clothing in nearly every store nationwide.
2014
PACT partners with farmers and factories in India to launch an organic cotton Fair Trade Certified line, including baby clothes. A second round of equity financing with Revelry aims to add new products to the line, which now includes camisoles, leggings, and long johns. Since 2011, PACT has grown revenue nearly 800%.
2015
Denby steps down and co-founds The Renewal Workshop, which transforms unsellable or excess store inventory into salable items. It is later acquired by international logistics company Bleckmann. Today, he’s an investment consultant and chair of the board of Fashion Takes Action, which advances sustainability in the fashion system.
2024
PACT product offerings now include home goods, accessories, maternity wear, and more. The Give Back, Wear Forward program allows customers free shipping of gently used clothing (even non-PACT items) for donation to one of five charities.