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Explore Copenhagen Fashion Week’s transformative approach to sustainable fashion, redefining style with a purpose
Copenhagen Fashion Week is not just a runway event; it’s a revolution for a greener future. With well-crafted sustainability plans, mandatory requirements for participating brands, and eco-conscious showcases, it’s leading the way in responsible fashion.
Sustainability Action Plan and Commitments
In 2019, the event unveiled the Sustainability Action Plan 2020-2022, setting the stage for its sustainability efforts. The new Action Plan for 2023-2025 follows the pillars of educate, reduce, and accelerate, outlining the event’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and resource consumption while actively fostering partnerships and driving eco-friendly initiatives throughout the fashion industry.
The Impact of Sustainability Requirements
A standout feature of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s initiatives is its Sustainability Requirements. Introduced in 2020, these requirements mandate participating brands to meet specific criteria. These criteria are regularly updated to ensure they align with evolving sustainability needs, underscoring the event’s commitment to meaningful progress.
Their Spring/Summer 2024 held from August 7 to 11 in 2023, featured over thirty different brands, including renowned names like Henrik Vibskov, Ganni, Stine Goya, Helmstedt, Baum und Pferdgarten, and Munthe. Its green process involved using at least 50% certified organic, upcycled, or recycled textiles in all collections and employing sustainable packaging and zero-waste backdrops for shows. These actions have lowered carbon emissions and waste, while also motivating the community to meet the eligibility requirements set by CFW.
Fashion Trends for the Future
Designers embraced innovative textiles and bold silhouettes while placing a strong emphasis on eco-conscious practices. The runway was a visual feast, adorned with vibrant colours, avant-garde patterns, and gender-fluid styles. These trends reflect a harmonious blend of individualism and eco-awareness, signalling a new era in contemporary fashion.
A. ROEGE HOVE
Brand A. ROEGE HOVE, a Woolmark Prize finalist known for its innovative approach to knitwear, started the event with an experimental fashion show. This brand produces exclusively in Europe, prioritising quality, responsibility, and fair labour practices. They focus on minimising waste in their designs, aiming to create lasting wardrobe essentials. Notably, they’ve recently incorporated Circulose, a fabric made from 100% textile waste, into their collection, further demonstrating their commitment to sustainability.
Henrik Vibskov
Danish designer Henrik Vibskov showcases his sustainability focus through a unique fashion show. Instead of a typical runway, he presents “The Unboxing Waltz Tutorial,” highlighting the idea of mobility in both physical and mental packages. Models move through four stages, resembling a boxing ring. Collaborating with jewellery designer Vibe Harsløf, the collection features bird-themed accessories. The fabrics used are either recyclable or organic, with 83% of the designs using certified materials that can be worn in multiple ways, symbolising the surprise of receiving packages. Some pieces even bear the text “out for delivery” to mimic transit packages. Vibskov also upcycles boxing glove materials into rustic hats and incorporates padded ankle wraps and lace-up elements into the collection, emphasising sustainability throughout.
Copenhagen Fashion Week is a trailblazer in eco-friendly fashion. They don’t just talk the talk; they make environmental responsibility a top priority.
