CPHFW Official Talk Program: Designing the Future of Fashion: Collaboration, Innovation, and the Climate Pledge
The official SS27 Talk Program, supported by Mercedes Benz, is a vital part of the Copenhagen Fashion Week schedule, exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of fashion.
Copenhagen Fashion Week will bring the SS27 Talk Program to a live audience, with a dedicated session taking place each day at the Copenhagen Fashion Week Talk Hub, hosted in the Mercedes-Benz Showroom in the heart of the city.
The Talk Program is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Each session will feature a 30-minute panel discussion followed by a 15-minute Q&A. Drawing on Copenhagen Fashion Week’s global network, the program will bring together industry leaders from across a range of organisations and disciplines to share insights and perspectives on the topics shaping fashion today.
Designing the Future of Fashion: Collaboration, Innovation, and The Climate Pledge
Join The Climate Pledge and signatories Collina Strada and Circ for a conversation with Sophia Li exploring how The Climate Pledge is supporting the fashion and wider creative industry in its transition to net zero carbon by 2040.
To explore the topic, moderator Sophia Li, award-winning journalist & UN Human Rights Champion; Hillary Taymour, founder & creative director of Collina Strada; Sally Fouts, global director, The Climate Pledge; and Emily Long, brand collaborations lead, Circ
Moderator:
Sophia Li — Award-winning journalist & UN Human Rights Champion
Sophia Li is an award-winning journalist and founder of STEWARD Media, using storytelling to drive systemic change in media and sustainability. She is the global correspondent for Prince William's Earthshot Prize, Impact Editor at Family Style, and sustainability advisor to Cocokind and Saie's Climate Board — with reporting for CNN, Vogue, Washington Post, and Atmos. Named one of Harper's Bazaar's 36 Voices Shaping Culture, Porter's 12 Incredible Women Defining 2024, and a Country & Townhouse Future Icon, she's also a United Nations Human Rights Champion. Sophia has interviewed notables from HRH Prince William to Nobel Laureates and Academy Award-winning actors, and has spoken at the UN, TED Climate, and the World Economic Forum.
Panelists:
Hillary Taymour — Founder & Creative Director of Collina Strada
Hillary Taymour is the founder and Creative Director of Collina Strada, a fashion brand she launched in New York in 2009. Taymour has built a distinct visual language that blends fantasy, activism, and craftsmanship. Her work challenges traditional beauty standards through inclusive casting, experimental silhouettes, and unexpected storytelling. She is known for integrating environmental considerations into the brand's design and production processes, including the use of deadstock fabrics and alternative materials. Today, she continues to lead the creative direction and growth of the company while advocating for greater accountability within the fashion industry.
Sally Fouts — Global Director at The Climate Pledge
Sally Fouts is Global Director of The Climate Pledge at Amazon. Under her leadership, more than 650 companies from around the world have joined the Pledge, with the bold goal of reaching net-zero carbon by 2040. More than 100 new companies signed in 2025 alone – a 62% increase over the number that joined in 2024, showing unprecedented momentum. Many are now collaborating on climate solutions for crucial sectors like transportation, clean energy, materials, and circular economy innovations.
With over 20 years of experience building and scaling programs at Amazon, Sally brings a unique perspective on how to align sustainability initiatives with business strategy to deliver measurable impact. Since joining Amazon in 2007, she has led communications and business development across some of the company's most high-profile areas, including serving as Communications Director for Music and Video and Director of Retail Communications. Sally has overseen The Climate Pledge's strategic direction since 2020, working with businesses of all sizes - from startups to multinational corporations - to help them set and achieve ambitious decarbonization goals.
Fouts holds a degree from the University of Oregon and is based in Seattle.
Emily Long — Brand Collaborations Lead at Circ
Emily Long is a seasoned expert in sustainability and business development with expertise in turning circular innovation into real-world brand adoption. As Sr. Business Development Manager at Circ, she partners with global brands to advance their responsible material journeys — supporting strategy and guiding product integration, and supply-chain execution to bring next-generation recycled fibers to market at scale.
Drawing on deep expertise in responsible sourcing, circularity, product development, and strategic partnerships, Emily helps organizations move from ambition to implementation. Prior to Circ, Emily led sustainability strategy on the brand side, where she embedded environmental and social responsibility into core business operations and product creation, developing forward-thinking initiatives that aligned commercial success with measurable impact.
