CPHFW - AW25
Where the artistry of fashion meets values.
In my opinion, Copenhagen Fashion Week is the most sustainable Fashion Week I have ever experienced. From the three pillars they follow, based on: education, reduction, acceleration.
But let’s understand what each of these pillars means:
EDUCATION
They are committed to sharing relevant information with their community and external stakeholders, not only to educate about fashion and sustainability, but also to inspire, and this is exactly what we saw with London Fashion Week who followed in their footsteps and set their copied minimum requirements on the designers who will participate in the Fashion Week.
REDUCTION
They support companies that focus on reducing, reusing, repurposing, repairing, renting and reselling as part of their circular economy, thus reducing consumption.
I also noticed that all invitations to the show were digital and there was a dedicated bus for all CPHFW press and guests to travel from show to show, reducing CO2 emissions. I've never seen anything like that in another fashion week!
ACCELERATION
As a founder of Koua Studio, I know it represents the economic challenge of the fashion week for small companies. CPHFW supports Monor by guided companies and stands out and gives a free closure every season to be presented in the fashion week.
They are dedicated to making a quick progress, in order to add a new minimum standard every year to increase the standard and reach those brands/designers that do not really focus on sustainability.
CPHFW serves as evidence that the art of fashion is only beautiful when it considers both aesthetics and values.
This statement reminded me on the "Fashion and Sustainability" panel I attended in November last year at the University of Cambridge led by Isabella Rose Davey, the COO at Copenhagen Fashion Week, Emily Chan, Senior Sustainability & Features Editor of British Vogue and Olya Kuryshuk, Founder 1 Granary. Three women with a deep understanding on where fashion should go in terms of sustainability.
A very interesting panel talk, where we discussed some of the challenges the industry is facing today specially for entrepreneurs like me.
Here are some remarkable learnings I got:
The anxiety I had of making my business a huge entrerprise and it doesn’t neccesarily has to be like that. If you are a fashion designer dealing with the same here are three key points to consider:
You’re not for everyone, your art shouldn’t be for everyone, you are for the people who really understand what’s behind it and therefore appreciate the price.
Let’s think out of the box, I’ve attended too many fashion shows and realised that we are keeping our ideas in the same box. The designers are not innovating in the way they present their collections. We don’t necessarily have to do an expensive catwalk (which probably will not last more than 10 minutes) and will reach less people. There are other ways to present your art while distinguishing from the crowd. Let’s innovate! this is a declaration supported by Isabella Rose Davey.
Their minimalist style, in my opinion, is connected with the elimination of trends and the overwhelming demand to spend continuously and senselessly, which is why I believe Copenhagen Fashion Week is encouraging the entire industry to be more transparent and authentic.
Let me know your thoughts!
With love,
Eri x
