The fashion industry began to take notice of sustainability back in 2009 when concerns about climate change were growing. Eva Kruse, founder of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, saw an opportunity to bring the industry together during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The first summit featured speakers from major fashion brands and aimed to raise awareness about sustainability in the industry. Over the years, the summit has evolved into the Global Fashion Summit, now in its 15th year.
One of the key achievements of the Global Fashion Summit is bringing together influential voices from the fashion industry to address sustainability issues. However, there has been criticism that there is a lot of talk but not enough action being taken to address these issues. Even a 10-year plan unveiled at the first summit still contains many of the same issues being discussed today. Despite progress in changing the language surrounding sustainability, there is still much work to be done. This year’s summit is focused on “Unlocking the Next Level” to accelerate change in the industry.
The Global Fashion Agenda, the non-profit organization behind the summit, has introduced initiatives such as the Innovation Forum and the Action Stage to help brands connect with solutions and share case studies of successful sustainability initiatives. These efforts aim to encourage more brands to take action and follow suit in implementing sustainable practices. Last year, a new $100 million renewable energy project in Bangladesh, backed by major brands like H&M Group and Bestseller, was announced as a tangible example of the change the Global Fashion Agenda is working towards.
The annual Global Fashion Summit has become a platform for discussion and education on sustainability within the fashion industry. Key figures, such as Katharine Hamnett and former garment worker Nazma Akter, have spoken at the summit to advocate for change and raise awareness about the importance of sustainable practices. The summit has evolved from explaining “Why sustainability?” to focusing on the how and what, as the industry has reached a tipping point in terms of the urgency for action.
The summit has attracted major names in the fashion industry over the years, including royalty like Queen Mary of Denmark, who has been a supporter of the event since its inception. The summit provides a unique opportunity for competitors in the industry to come together and collaborate on sustainability initiatives. While progress has been made in raising awareness and changing the conversation around sustainability, there is still a long way to go in terms of implementing real change in the industry. The Global Fashion Summit continues to work towards creating a more sustainable future for the fashion industry through collaboration, education, and advocacy.
