Michael Biel, Secretary of State for Economic Affairs: “By implementing the Sustainability Requirements, Berlin will become one of the leading international locations for a responsible and innovative fashion industry. With the financial support of 180,000 euros until 2025, we are once again investing in the future of Berlin as a pioneer in sustainability. Through sustainable practices such as upcycling and the use of recycled materials, social and ecological responsibility go hand in hand with Made in Berlin and Germany fashion. With these standards, Berlin will be an example compared to other global fashion metropolises.”
Berlin Fashion Week (BFW) has partnered with Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) to present the Sustainability Requirements developed by CPHFW at BFW. This initiative, supported by the Berlin Senate and executed by Fashion Council Germany and Studio MM04, aims to enhance BFW's commitment to sustainability and establish Berlin as a leader in responsible fashion.
“We are proud to announce this partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week, a valued partner and pioneer of sustainability in fashion. By adopting the Sustainability Requirements at Berlin Fashion Week, we are not only committing to higher standards “We also set an example of responsible practices. This collaboration presents an important opportunity to leverage our combined experience and resources, fostering innovation and encouraging brands to meet the changing demands of society and industry.” Scott Lipinski, CEO of the German Fashion Council.
“With Minimum Standards a mandatory admission criteria for Copenhagen Fashion Week brands for three seasons now, we are excited to achieve greater industry alignment through our partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week. Berlin. Our partnership not only sparks much-needed alignment, but also emphasizes the opportunities of fashion weeks and tips to be part of the industry's transition for the better. “It is a great milestone for us to see the Sustainability Requirements gain global recognition and we hope it inspires more actors to collaborate.” Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.
The partnership includes the implementation of the Sustainability Requirements framework for approximately 35 brands in the official Berlin Fashion Week show calendar, where Minimum Standards will be established as mandatory criteria. The implementation will see an onboarding and testing phase before coming into full effect in February 2026.
Background
The Sustainability Requirements were introduced by Copenhagen Fashion Week in close collaboration with its knowledge partners In Futurum and Dansk Fashion & Textile in January 2020. They have since been updated in March 2024 to reflect industry developments. and changes in the EU political landscape. The framework represents an essential part of CPHFW's sustainability strategy to drive comprehensive change in the fashion industry and was reviewed by its Advisory Board and an international panel of experts.
Since its launch, Denmark's largest fashion fair, Copenhagen International Fashion Fair, as well as the Norwegian Fashion Center and Oslo Catwalk, have embarked on the implementation of the Sustainability Requirements framework. In May 2021, the government-funded program “Fremtidens Tekstiler” selected the Sustainability Requirements as a framework to provide a gap analysis to 50 SMEs to lead to further actions.
BFW-Specific Adaptations
In addition to the existing Sustainability Requirements guidelines, BFW will implement specific adaptations aligned with BFW's strategy. The Sustainability Requirements are a framework developed by Copenhagen Fashion Week.
Note: The content of this press release has not been edited by Fibre2Fashion staff.
Fiber2Fashion News Desk (HU)
