Copenhagen Fashion Week: sustainable fashion week in Denmark
Moving towards a green economy has become an inevitable path in the face of climate change and the risk of running out of resources.
The impacts of this transition are also being felt in the world of fashion. The discussion of sustainability is not just an option, but one of the main items on the agendas of companies, brands and governments.
When we think of our "fashion world" in the direction of sustainability, it is impossible not to mention the Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW)The Danish fashion week has made a name for in edition after edition with its innovative protocol and commitment to environmental responsibility.
In 2018, Cecile Thorsmark became CEO of CPHFW. Thorsmark introduced a new approach to Danish fashion week. Nowadays, brands have to meet rigorous standards linked in particular to the environment.
The CEO's holistic approach required participating brands to comply with at least 18 rules divided into six areas and related to diversity, innovation, useful life of parts and production method.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) published a study on the textile industry in 2022 and pointed out that clothing production generates between 2% and 8% of global carbon emissions. Textile coloring, meanwhile, is the biggest polluter of water sources in the world.
Also in 2022, the European Fashion Alliance (EFA) was founded, an alliance that brings together international fashion and textile organizations, including Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) in its membership portfolio. The EFA promotes and sets out to accelerate the transition of fashion in Europe towards a more sustainable, innovative, inclusive and creative future.
The CPHFW Action Plan 2020-2022 was published in 2019 with the CEO's integrated approach.
ACTION PLAN 2020-2022
In the January 2023 show, only brands were selected for the show whose presentations were in harmony with CPHFW's sustainability standards.
The event also publishes Annual Sustainability Report - 2023 edition- which highlights the commitments, challenges and ambitions that have been recognized and the plans to overcome obstacles encountered and progress in the next editions.
CHECK OUT SOME BRANDS IN THE 2023 EDITION:
TG Botanical
The TG Botanical brand, founded in 2020 by Tatyana Chumak, presented a collection made from natural fiber fabric based on plants such as nettle, flax and hemp. Also, the color process was done using antiquity techniques and sourced natural pigments: onion husks, acorns and coffee grains.
The Garment
The women's clothing brand is around 20 years old and has a minimalist line so that the pieces match different looks - which also has the effect of “owning less while buying right”.
Another highlight is the offsetting of the environmental footprint of each item produced. In the process of producing the piece, the amount of CO² emitted is calculated and, in partnership with the Norwegian environmental company Choose, there is carbon offsetting/environmental neutralization.
(Di)vision
The brand is present with a street style in which the Danish designers use “dead stock” of materials from retail companies. The pieces are usually produced in local factories. The minimalist process based on “dead stock” is an environmental solution for reducing the impact of the fashion industry. In addition, the mix of prints always makes for unique pieces.
Using the principles from the first Action Plan and the lessons learned, the CPHFW launched the 2023-2025 Action Plan (click here), which has new requirements for brands to take part in the event. The next season has already been scheduled for January 27-31, 2025.
LET'S KEEP TRACKING WHAT ECOLOGICALLY CONSCIOUS INNOVATION WE'LL HAVE IN OUR "FASHION WORLD"?!
Source: Copenhagen Fashion Week (https://copenhagenfashionweek.com/); European Fashion Alliance (https://www.europeanfashionalliance.org/); Sustainability for Students (https://www.sustainabilityforstudents.com/post/a-source-of-inspiration-copenhagen-fashion-week); ConsiderBeyond (https://www.considerbeyond.com/lets-consider-beyond/9-designer-brands-that-met-copenhagen-fashion-week-sustainability-requirements); United Nations – UN (https://news.un.org/pt/story/2022/10/1804067)
