COPENHAGEN FASHION WEEK SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

It is apparent that the extreme excessiveness of fashion week shows is not exactly in alignment with current sustainability goals. Despite, the exhibition of great talent and the creativity that takes place, it is hard to comprehend its necessity whilst we are being exposed to the terrifying effects of global warming.

Stockholm Fashion Week was cancelled last year due to concerns regarding sustainability and hoping to find alternative ways to showcase ethical fashion to avoid wastage and harm to the environment. This year, Copenhagen - the fashion hub for Scandinavian style and emerging designers, set out a Sustainability Action Plan for the next two years to "push the industry to accelerate its sustainability efforts".

The 2020-2022 action plan titled, Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week – Reducing negative impacts, innovating our business model and accelerating industry change, aims to challenge current industry players and encourage new standards. The report states action will be taken "by reducing its climate impact by 50% and rethinking waste systems in all aspects of event production, with zero waste as the goal by 2022".

The strategy is based on the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) with a core focus on three; SDG 12 - responsible consumption and production, SDG 13 climate action and SDG 17 partnership for goals. These aims include highlighting the importance of resource efficiency and implementing a ban on single-use plastics. A 15-step guide has also been created to introduce sustainable showcasing and production methods, which will enable brands and designers to take responsibility for their own ways.

"We always prioritize selecting sustainable options for supplies, including organic, vegetarian and preferably locally sourced food and snacks, sustainable beverages, no single-use plastic cutlery, straws or tableware, the most environmentally friendly busses available and electric cars. We have stopped using goodie bags and stopped producing new seasonal staff uniforms".

Alongside, efforts being made within the event scope, Copenhagen's action plan also details measuring the carbon footprint and being honest where improvements can be made. These actions are being stretched to ensuring other businesses that work around Fashion Week are adhering to the same standards set in place in order to reach the goals of the action plan and create a less wasteful and more environmentally conscious event.

Read the full details - https://copenhagenfashionweek.com/sustainability/

Read a piece on the issues regarding Fashion Week - https://editbyellie.com/2020/01/05/is-it-time-to-say-goodbye-to-fashion-week/

Image 1 - https://copenhagenfashionweek.com/dates-spring-summer-autumn-winter-2020/

Image 2 - https://headtopics.com/us/cphfw-aw20-carcel-the-decisive-walk-towards-a-sustainable-future-10959944

Words by Ellie Pidn