Berlin Fashion Week (BFW) and Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) have joined hands in an innovative partnership aimed at accelerating sustainability efforts within the fashion industry. The collaboration, introduces the Sustainability Requirements framework pioneered by CPHFW to Berlin Fashion Week, making it a mandatory criterion for show brands. This strategic move aligns the sustainability endeavors of two influential fashion hubs, marking a pivotal moment for both the Nordic and German fashion markets.
Supported by a grant from the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises, and executed by Fashion Council Germany in collaboration with Studio MM04, this initiative signals a significant leap towards establishing Berlin as a leading global destination for responsible and innovative fashion. Michael Biel, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, emphasized Berlin's commitment to sustainability, highlighting the city's investment of 180,000 euros until 2025 to foster a culture of eco-consciousness and innovation.
Scott Lipinski, CEO of Fashion Council Germany, expressed pride in partnering with Copenhagen Fashion Week, renowned for its sustainability initiatives. By integrating the Sustainability Requirements, Lipinski underscores the commitment to higher ethical standards and serves as a beacon for responsible practices within the industry.
CecilieThorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, hailed the partnership as a significant step towards industry alignment and urged fashion weeks and councils worldwide to embrace collaborative efforts for positive change. The joint venture aims to onboard approximately 35 brands onto the official Berlin Fashion Week show schedule, with the Minimum Standards becoming a mandatory criterion by February 2026.
The Sustainability Requirements, introduced by Copenhagen Fashion Week in 2020 and updated in 2024 to reflect industry advancements and EU policies, have garnered global recognition. With initiatives like the government-funded program "FremtidensTekstiler," which selected the framework for SMEs, the fashion industry is poised to undergo transformative change towards a more sustainable future.
