More than 1,100 participants gathered at the Copenhagen Opera House for the Copenhagen Fashion Summit organised by the Danish Fashion Institute on April 24. The event witnessed 23 experts focusing on topics like consumer behaviour, recycling and CO2 emissions in the wake of need for guiding the industry towards a more sustainable future.
Talking about how the entire textile and apparel world is moving towards sustainability, Justin Keeble, Managing Director of Accenture's Sustainability Services across Europe, Africa and Latin America, said that the global market for sustainable fashion has risen 40 per cent since 2000. Noting that more than 90 per cent of all garments are disposed off within six months, he said that there is a need to create a circular economy for the fashion industry.
Bangladesh's Rana Plaza disaster that claimed several lives owing to non-compliant factory conditions, was also a major topic of discussion as speakers pointed out that consumers are seeking assurance that fashion production is ecologically and socially sustainable. For instance, Helena Helmersson, Head of Sustainability at Sweden's Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), said that as per her company's latest market research in just one year, from 2012 to 2013, a 21 per cent increase has been noticed among consumers showing interest in sustainability. Apart from implementing several sustainable initiatives in 2013, H&M also worked with the International Association for Textile Care Labelling (Ginetex) to launch the Clevercare project at the summit. The system provides information to consumers on how to look after their clothes to make them last longer, using less toxic methods to keep them clean. H&M has already implemented the Clevercare system.
Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO at Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta said that even prospective employees appearing for the interview are interested in knowing about company’s sustainability initiatives. All of Bottega Veneta's raw materials come from Europe, which makes it easier to check their production. At the end of the year, the brand will release a collection of handbags, where the leather has been certified through the entire chain, from breeding, manufacturing and shipping to outlets. It has also built its new headquarters in northern Italy using sustainable design methods.
