In 2009, the concept of sustainability was not widely discussed in the fashion industry, but concerns about climate change were growing. Eva Kruse, the founder of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, saw an opportunity to bring the fashion industry together to address these issues, especially with the United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Copenhagen that year. The first summit, held at the Royal Danish Opera House, featured speakers from major fashion companies and attracted global attention, setting the stage for future discussions on sustainability in fashion.
Despite the initial success of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, now known as the Global Fashion Summit, one criticism is that there has been a lot of discussion but limited tangible action in the industry. The 10-year plan presented at the first summit still addresses many of the same issues that are being discussed today. However, there has been progress in terms of language and awareness around sustainability in fashion. The theme of this year’s summit, “Unlocking the Next Level,” highlights the need to accelerate change and move from discussing why sustainability is important to how to implement it in the industry.
The Global Fashion Summit has introduced initiatives like the Innovation Forum and Action Stage to connect brands with start-ups offering solutions and showcase case studies of successful sustainability initiatives. These platforms aim to inspire other brands to take similar actions and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable fashion industry. The organizers also launched a $100 million renewable energy project in Bangladesh, supported by major brands like H&M Group and Bestseller, as a concrete example of the impact and change they are striving for.
The growth and evolution of the Global Fashion Summit over the past 15 years reflect the changing landscape of sustainability in the fashion industry. From starting discussions and raising awareness in 2009 to now focusing on implementing practical solutions and driving real change, the summit has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s approach to sustainability. The involvement of key industry players, government officials, and other stakeholders in these discussions highlights the importance of collaboration and collective action in addressing sustainability challenges in fashion.
With the support of influential figures like Queen Mary of Denmark, the Global Fashion Summit has become a leading platform for discussing sustainability in fashion and driving industry-wide change. The shift from simply talking about sustainability to taking concrete actions and implementing solutions demonstrates the progress that has been made over the past decade. As the industry reaches a tipping point, there is a growing sense of urgency to accelerate change and unlock the next level of sustainability in fashion, making events like the Global Fashion Summit essential for driving progress and promoting a more sustainable future for the industry.
