The British Fashion Council (BFC) and Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at accelerating sustainability within the fashion industry across the Nordic and British markets. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in aligning global efforts to tackle the environmental challenges facing the sector.
As part of this initiative, the BFC will integrate CPHFW’s Sustainability Requirements framework into its renowned BFC NEWGEN designer programme starting in 2025. This integration will begin with an onboarding and piloting phase, leading to full implementation by January 2026, embedding Minimum Standards into the programme’s mandatory criteria for admission.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to align with the Copenhagen Fashion Week Sustainability Requirements across BFC NEWGEN. This builds on our existing Minimum Standards and reaffirms our commitment to driving positive change across the global fashion industry. 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."
Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, echoed these sentiments: "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."
BFC NEWGEN, renowned as the world’s leading programme for supporting emerging fashion designers, will now integrate sustainability at its core. Applications for the 2025 cycle are now open for designer fashion businesses that have been actively trading for less than three years. By embedding CPHFW’s Minimum Standards into its admissions criteria, the programme aims to equip young talent with the tools and guidance needed to contribute to a more sustainable future.
This collaboration will serve as a critical component of the British Fashion Council’s broader sustainability agenda, spearheaded by its Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF). Launched in 2020, the IPF operates as a think tank dedicated to addressing the fashion industry’s environmental impact. It promotes climate action and fosters collaboration, research, and education to catalyse positive change.
Copenhagen Fashion Week introduced the Sustainability Requirements framework in January 2020, in collaboration with Knowledge Partners In Futurum and Dansk Fashion & Textile. Updated in 2024 to reflect evolving industry practices and EU policy developments, the framework represents a cornerstone of CPHFW’s sustainability strategy.
The framework has already been adopted by other key fashion entities, including the Norwegian Fashion Hub, Oslo Runway, and Berlin Fashion Week, executed by Fashion Council Germany. Its integration into BFC NEWGEN signifies the growing global recognition of the need for consistent sustainability standards.
This collaboration builds on a shared vision of sustainability as a non-negotiable aspect of the future of fashion. By aligning on a unified framework, the BFC and CPHFW aim to set a precedent for the industry, encouraging other organisations and fashion weeks to follow suit.
The move also reinforces the influence of both organisations as leaders in driving sustainability forward. The BFC, established in 1983, is dedicated to championing British fashion on the global stage. Through initiatives like London Fashion Week and The Fashion Awards, it promotes innovation, diversity, and responsible growth. Its focus on education, mentoring, and grant-giving has helped to nurture a generation of creative talent.
CPHFW, the largest fashion week in Northern Europe, has cemented its reputation as a sustainability leader with its Sustainability Action Plan, first unveiled in January 2020. Revised every three years, the plan ensures that the event remains at the forefront of driving meaningful environmental change within the industry.
As the industry faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental footprint, this collaboration between the BFC and CPHFW underscores the urgent need for collective action. The partnership offers a roadmap for how fashion councils and events can lead by example, creating ripple effects across the industry.
For more information on the BFC’s initiatives and application details for BFC NEWGEN, visit britishfashioncouncil.co.uk, londonfashionweek.co.uk, or instituteofpositivefashion.com.
