British Fashion Council (BFC) and Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) announced a new collaboration, joining forces to align their efforts to accelerate the industry’s sustainability actions across the Nordic and British fashion markets.
Copenhagen’s basic standards include having a clear ESG plan and a diversity and inclusion policy for recruiting, utilizing preferred materials, and eliminating single-use props for fashion presentations. The BFC NEWGEN program, which is being launched in 2025 in collaboration with Pull&Bear, will be the first to include the Minimum Standards into the current mandatory entry requirements. London Fashion Week will be the first of the “big four” to demand brands participating in the Newgen incubation program to adhere to sustainability standards.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council said, “We are thrilled to align with the Copenhagen Fashion Week Sustainability Requirements across BFC NEWGEN in partnership with Pull&Bear, this 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.”
The standards are part of the BFC’s continuous work with its sustainability-focused think tank, the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF), which began in 2020. In November 2024, LFW became the first of the big four fashion weeks to prohibit the usage of exotic skins like crocodile and snake (Copenhagen prohibited exotics in March 2024).
“We are delighted to join forces with the British Fashion Council to further expand the reach of our Sustainability Requirements. 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.”stated Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.
By showcasing the innovative methods necessary to spur change in the fashion industry, the sustainability requirements may present the city’s designers with a chance to make a lasting impression on the world stage.