Global Fashion Summit drives action, collaboration for sustainable fashion industry

The Summit brought together over 1000 leaders from brands, retailers, NGOs, policymakers, manufacturers, and innovators.

Federica Marchionni, CEO, of Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) said: “I am filled with a sense of hope following the Summit. This year we focused on turning the aspirational to the actual – championing evidence-based actions that can redesign our business models with net positive at the core, improve the livelihoods of the millions of garment workers and protect and enhance our precious ecosystems. The will and intentions are there, I now look forward to witnessing the shift to implementation to truly transform the industry.”

This year’s Summit aimed to drive change through educational sessions and actionable business case studies. More than half of the program was dedicated to tangible and evidence-based impact, empowering participants to implement sustainable practices.

Hosted by the GFA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to accelerating the transition to a net-positive fashion industry, and under the patronage of HRH The Crown Princess of Denmark, the event featured an expanded lineup of speakers, with over 137 industry experts sharing insights and experiences.

Notable speakers included HRH The Crown Princess of Denmark, Antoine Arnault from LVMH Group, Jonathan Anderson from JW Anderson and Loewe, and Virginijus Sinkevičius from the European Commission, among others.

Throughout the Summit, several prominent brands, retailers, and organisations unveiled new actions and initiatives to propel the industry forward. Some of the highlights include:

1. Global Textiles Policy Forum: The GFA launched a platform to align governments and textile industry associations worldwide on ambitious sustainability pathways and global policy frameworks. The forum aims to amplify supply chain voices and extend the impact of the EU Textiles Strategy beyond the EU.
2. GFA Designer Challenge 2023: In partnership with Smiley, the GFA presented responses from Heiko Desens, Global Creative Director of Puma partnered with Nicole McLaughlin whilst, Hillary Taymour, Creative Director of Collina Strada created an alliance with Circulose. The outcomes were showcased at the Summit alongside the release of two captivating new videos depicting the journeys of designers.
3. Fashion Redressed: A new online film series produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions in collaboration with the GFA. Launching in September, the series will raise awareness about the environmental impact of fashion consumption.
4. The Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook: UNEP and UN Climate Change released this guide to help fashion communicators align their efforts with sustainability targets. It provides strategies to counter misinformation, reduce messages promoting overconsumption, redirect aspirations towards sustainable lifestyles, and empower consumers to demand greater action.
5. Landmark Report on Science-Based Targets for Nature: The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, the Fashion Pact, and Conservation International collaborated on a report that outlines science-based targets for nature in the fashion, textile, and apparel industry.
6. Next Gen Assembly programme: The launch of the programme in partnership with the Fashion Values Programme and presented by Target, participated in a closed-door roundtable alongside esteemed industry leaders. The Members were able to candidly share their perspectives and stories. Following the Summit, the stories of the Next Gen Assembly participants will be collated and communicated throughout 2023
7. CTI Fashion Initiative: Industry leaders united to drive circularity in fashion. Led by WBCSD, VF Corporation and Deloitte Switzerland, this collaboration will establish harmonised metrics, standards and best practices, anchored by the Circular Transition Indicators (CTI) for measuring impact, fostering accountability and advancing sustainable value creation.

The Summit also facilitated an Innovation Forum, connecting fashion companies with 26 sustainable solution providers and fostering more than 350 business meetings.

Looking ahead, the Global Fashion Summit will continue its mission to drive change in the industry with the Boston Edition scheduled for 27 September 2023. This event marks the second time the Summit will be hosted outside of Copenhagen in its 14-year history.

Recently, Puma and Collina Strada rose to the GFA designer challenge to redefine responsible fashion.