Copenhagen Fashion Week on Sustainability

Anything to do with the fashion industry moving forward in todays times in regards to climate change and sustainability has me and my inner geography-saving-the-planet-nerd self engaged.

This week Copenhagen fashion week announced an exciting new sustainability action plan that's set to run from 2020 to 2022. Stating they are committed to reducing their carbon footprint by 50%, whilst also attempting to cut down emissions from other related operations is quite the plan. With the focus on creating more digital ways to access fashion shows in order to minimise travel pollution, I believe this will catch on throughout the industry.

“A very radical new way of thinking about fashion week without actually ditching the existing format.” - chief executive, Cecilie Thorsmark.

The fashion week aims to be zero waste by banning single use items and enforcing a complete reuse and recycle policy. Brands will be rated on how well they follow new policies (an innovative way for customers to make a judgement based on the brand as a whole) and then based off their overall scores, the executives will be either allow or reject them from taking part in the fashion week. The main areas of judging will be strategic direction, design practices, smart material choices, working conditions, consumer engagement, and show production.

To make it onto the official schedule, all CPH shows and presentations must meet 17 minimum standards - for example, include pledging not to destroy unsold clothes, using at least 50% certified, organic, upcycled or recycled textiles in all collections, and utilising only sustainable packaging as well as zero-waste set design.

“All industry players – including fashion weeks – must be accountable for their actions and willing to change the way business is done,” (CEO Cecilie Thorsmark) in the press release.

“Fashion weeks are a symbolic, cultural focal point of the fashion world, a platform where new visions, trends, and talents emerge. I, therefore, believe they hold tremendous potential to drive change and, if we dare to be bold, we can change how business is done. We can move from being a source of inspiration and a conversation starter to a facilitator of action.”

I think this is one of the best initiatives in recent times, making me believe this decade shall be an extreme changer of the fashion industry!

Mia

xo