LONDON — The British Fashion Council is following in the green footsteps of Copenhagen Fashion Week and drawing up mandatory sustainability criteria for brands that want to join the London calendar.
The new requirements will be developed by CPHFW, and will start this year with the BFC Newgen scheme. They will take full effect in January 2026.
Cecilie Thorsmark
Courtesy
Caroline Rush, the BFC’s outgoing chief executive officer, said the partnership between London and Copenhagen “builds on our existing minimum standards, and reaffirms our commitment to driving positive change across the global fashion industry.”
“This partnership is a significant step in ensuring that sustainability becomes integral to the future of fashion. Together, we are creating a framework that empowers emerging designer fashion businesses to lead the way and contribute tangibly to a more sustainable and responsible industry,” Rush said.
“This partnership not only fosters much-needed industry alignment but also underscores the unique potential of fashion weeks and councils to drive positive change within the industry. With the British Fashion Council, as an influential player in the global fashion landscape, we see a lot of potential to further amplify the impact of our collective commitment to sustainability,” said Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.
Caroline Rush at the 2024 Fashion Awards.
Matt Crossick
Thorsmark introduced her Sustainability Action Plan at the beginning of 2020 and it ranged from measuring and offsetting its own carbon emissions to banning the use of single-use plastic hangers and garment bags.
There are 19 minimum standards for brands to meet before they can be part of the CPHFW calendar.
