Sustainable Blog Edition #38.
Fashion Week is the highlight of the fashion industry's calendar, the date showcasing the finest trends and designs of the upcoming season as well as paving the way for future collections. At a glance it may seem superfluous, flashy, or excessive (which is partially true). However, it has a much deeper significance, that of influence. Fashion Week has the ability to inspire, direct, and change how consumers and brands approach fashion. While some brands have used this opportunity to push sustainable innovation, many do not.
Two years ago Copenhagen Fashion Week introduced an action plan that would force long term change in brands wishing to participate in their shows. The vision of this plan is to help the city become one of the world's top fashion week’s by providing exclusivity through change. Beginning this year, all brands wishing to be eligible to show collections during the exhibition must meet 18 minimum sustainability standards.
These minimum stands focus on 6 years which cover the entire value chain. Additionally each brand is posed with a series of questions to gain insight on their sustainability efforts going forward. This is the first season where these standards take effect and CPHFW will evaluate their effectiveness and refine them in the future.
You can find the minimum standards below as well as the list of brands selected to participate in the Fashion Week:
List of Brands showing for AW23
Minimum Standards
Strategic Directions
- We work strategically with embedding sustainability and international standards on human rights
- We include diversity and equality in our management approach and actively consider these aspects when hiring staff, especially for management positions
- We do not destroy unsold clothes from previous collections
Design
- We design to increase the quality and value of our products economically and materially and inform our customers about the value of longevity
- We find a second life for our samples
Smart material choices
- At least 50% of our collection is either certified, made of preferred materials or new generation sustainable materials, upcycled, recycled or made of deadstock
- We have a preferred materials list in place
- We have a list of restricted substances in place, following the requirements of the EU REACH Directive, and engage with our suppliers to ensure compliance
- Our collection is fur-free
Working conditions
- We are committed to exercising due diligence in our supply chain according to international guidelines and standards and work with our suppliers to ensure e.g., freely chosen employment, secure employment or no child labour
- We are committed to operating a safe, healthy and respectful working environment for all our employees, free from harassment and discrimination and where everyone enjoys equal opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, political/religious/ sexual orientation, physical appearance and ability
Consumer engagement
- Our in-store and online customer service staff is well informed about our sustainability strategy
- We educate and inform our customers about our sustainability practices on multiple platforms
Show
- We do not utilize single-use plastic packaging in store or for online orders but offer recyclable, recycled or repurposable alternatives
- Our set design and show production is zero waste
- We do not utilize single-use plastic packaging backstage during fashion week but offer recyclable, recycled or repurposable alternatives
- We offset or inset the carbon footprint of our show
- We are signatory of the Danish Fashion Ethical Charter and consider diversity and inclusivity when casting models