The British Fashion Council Adopts CPHFW's Sustainability Requirements

Today, the BFC and CPHFW announce a new collaboration, joining forces to align their efforts to accelerate the industry's sustainability actions across the Nordic and British fashion markets.

As part of the collaboration, the BFC will roll out the Sustainability Requirements framework developed by CPHFW. This will kick off with the BFC NEWGEN initiative in 2025, where the Minimum Standards will be embedded into the existing mandatory criteria for admission. Following an onboarding and piloting period, the full implementation will come into effect fully by January 2026.

BFC NEWGEN is the world leading designer programme which supports the best emerging fashion design talent and represents key voices in the British fashion industry. Applications open today for highly creative designer fashion businesses that has been actively trading for less than 3 years.

Caroline Rush, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council said, "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. This partnership is a significant step in ensuring that sustainability becomes integral to the future of fashion. 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 said, "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."

This partnership is a key part of the BFC’s ongoing work through its Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF). The IPF was launched as a think tank to address the fashion industry’s environmental impact and aims to guide the industry toward sustainable practices, promoting climate action while serving as a platform for research, collaboration and education to accelerate positive change. 2025 marks five years of the IPF and this collaboration with CPHFW underscores the BFC’s continued commitment to drive a more sustainable future.

About the Sustainability Requirements

The Sustainability Requirements were introduced by Copenhagen Fashion Week in close collaboration with their Knowledge Partners In Futurum and Dansk Fashion & Textile in January 2020. Since then, they have been updated during 2024 to reflect industry developments as well as changes in the EU policy landscape. The framework represents an essential part of CPHFW's sustainability strategy to drive comprehensive change in the fashion industry and was reviewed by their Advisory Board and an international panel of experts.

Since its launch, the Norwegian Fashion Hub, Oslo Runway and Berlin Fashion Week executed by Fashion Council Germany have embarked on the implementation of the Sustainability Requirements framework.

About British Fashion Council

The British Fashion Council (BFC), formed in 1983, is a not-for-profit organisation focused on the relentless innovation, responsible growth and local and global amplification of the British fashion industry. Its mission is to champion British fashion on the world stage by pioneering world class programmes that unlock and elevate British creative talent. This is fuelled by an extraordinary diverse and inspiring community of advocates, icons, experts, and fans.

The BFC amplifies excellence in creativity and its role in the UK’s cultural influence through The Fashion Awards and London Fashion Week. The BFC prepares businesses for positive change through relentless innovation with a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI&B), Web 3.0 and pivotal areas of the UK Circular Fashion Eco-system through the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF). The BFC enables responsible growth through a dynamic, inclusive, and unified community that advocates for creativity, innovation and collectively supports the industry to grow and talent to gain access.

The BFC Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 11852152) supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry through its focus on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring. The BFC Foundation offers support to designers through four talent prizes: BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, BFC NEWGEN and the BFC Fashion Trust. With the support of the BFC Colleges Council, the BFC Foundation offers BA and MA scholarships to students, as well as links with industry through design competitions and Graduate Preview Day. The Fashion Awards is the primary fundraiser for the BFC Foundation.

For more information visit: britishfashioncouncil.co.uk / londonfashionweek.co.uk / instituteofpositivefashion.com

About Copenhagen Fashion Week

Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) is the biggest fashion week in Northern Europe, held biannually in January/February and August.

Regarded as the fifth global fashion week, Copenhagen Fashion Week welcomes leading international press, buyers and industry leaders across their global network to four days of shows, presentations, installations and events alongside the trade show CIFF.

Sustainability is the core focus for Copenhagen Fashion Week, striving towards making substantial changes to inspire and encourage the industry to accelerate their sustainability efforts. In January 2020, Copenhagen Fashion Week unveiled an ambitious three-year Sustainability Action Plan, presenting an innovative system of requirements for brands to be part of the official schedule that was implemented at the AW23 edition of CPHFW. The Action Plan is revised and released every three years, positioning CPHFW as the leading fashion week within the sustainability field.