So, I recently attended the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, which marked its 15th anniversary at the iconic Copenhagen Concert Hall. The event gathered over a thousand people from various corners of the fashion world—brands, retailers, NGOs, policy makers, manufacturers, and innovators—all focusing on pushing sustainability to the next level.
The theme this year was "Unlocking the Next Level" attempting to move beyond just talking about sustainability and get into real, evidence-based actions. One of the policy workshops I attended dug into the unique strategies needed for textiles in the EU, UK, US, Asia and Africa, touching on global election cycles, climate adaptation, and the geopolitics of AI. It was a lot to take in, but it underscored just how complex and interconnected these issues are.
A recurring topic was the fragmented and often contradictory nature of global regulations. Harmonization was a key buzzword—without it, navigating the regulatory landscape becomes a headache. This is crucial if we want effective legislation that actually understands and addresses the industry's needs.
There was also a big focus on operationalizing sustainability, with sessions emphasizing redefining growth and activating consumers. Seeing companies like Houdini Sportswear tackle overproduction by aligning more closely with demand rather than forecasts was refreshing.
Paul Polman’s talk was the one that stood out to me most. His message was straightforward: "Less bad isn’t good enough anymore." He emphasized the need for restorative thinking and setting ambitious targets. His words served as a reminder that our actions should be driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact, not just to tick boxes.
One of the standout moments for me was hearing from Frances van Hasselt of c.H Mohair. She emphasized the importance of meeting producers and understanding their environments—feeling the climate, knowing the animals, and sharing meals with herders. Her phrase "rainfall to the runway" highlighted that our clothes' journey starts in ecosystems, not factories. Frances stressed that land-level success translates to supply chain success, urging us to invest in these relationships and appreciate the unique, beautiful practices that exist beyond standardized certifications. Her insights were a powerful reminder to consider the broader impacts of our choices in fashion.
The collaboration between PDS Ventures and Bloom Labs was another highlight in the Trailblazer section! Bloom Labs is doing some cool stuff by turning protein-rich fibrous waste into new materials, a first of its kind. Similarly, Hurd Co. is turning agricultural waste into man made cellulosic feedstock.
Transparency and traceability from farm to fabric were hot topics, with several discussions focusing on fiber traceability initiatives. It was interesting to see how brands like OVS are actually working directly with farmers to create more transparent supply chains, moving beyond traditional certifications and into a relationships based supply chain which we love to see!
There was a lot of talk about collective action and the human element in these initiatives.
Throughout the summit, the well-being economy—a concept we’ve been diving into at Simply Suzette—kept popping up. This approach prioritizes human and ecological well-being over mere economic growth. It’s a broader, more inclusive vision of sustainability that resonates with what we’re trying to achieve.
Reflecting on my time at the Global Fashion Summit, I’m reminded of the importance of community and human-centric approaches in tackling our industry's biggest challenges. The summit was about more than just sustainability; it was about realizing that we’re all in this together.
Leaving Copenhagen, I feel inspired and ready to keep diving into the hard questions! Here’s to building a well-being economy that places people and the planet at the heart of our endeavors. It’s not just about unlocking the next level; it’s about putting humanity back into the supply chain, a step at a time.