The BFW and CPHFW announce their partnership to introduce sustainability requirements for Berlin Fashion Week. With the establishment of the sustainability requirements developed by CPHFW, the Fashion Council Germany, responsible for coordinating the BFW calendar, commits to implementing these minimum standards as a binding criterion for Berlin Fashion Week shows. Together, both organizations aim to promote sustainability measures in the fashion industry in the Nordic and German markets. Funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises and implemented by the Fashion Council Germany in collaboration with Studio MM04, this is another step for the BFW towards becoming a transparent and responsible fashion platform.

Michael Biel, Berlin State Secretary for Economic Affairs: “ The introduction of the Sustainability Requirements will make Berlin one of the leading international locations for a responsible and innovative fashion industry. With financial support totaling €180,000 until 2025, we are once again investing in Berlin's future as a pioneer in sustainability. Through sustainable practices such as upcycling and the use of recycled materials, social and environmental responsibility go hand in hand in fashion made in Berlin and Germany. With these standards, Berlin will set an example compared to other global fashion capitals. ”

“ We are proud to announce our partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week, our long-standing partner and a pioneer in sustainability in fashion. With the introduction of Sustainability Requirements for Berlin Fashion Week, we are not only committing to higher standards, but also leading by example in implementing responsible practices. This collaboration offers a significant opportunity to leverage our combined expertise and resources to foster innovation and encourage labels to meet the demands of society and the industry. ” – Scott Lipinski, CEO of the Fashion Council Germany.

“ Copenhagen Fashion Week has already implemented Minimum Standards as a mandatory admission criterion for its labels for three seasons. We are delighted to achieve growing alignment within the industry through our partnership with Berlin Fashion Week. This collaboration not only initiates the much-needed common direction but also highlights the potential of fashion weeks and councils to transform the industry for the better. It is a significant milestone for us that the Sustainability Requirements are gaining global recognition. We are confident that we will inspire other stakeholders to collaborate .” – Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

The collaboration encompasses the implementation of sustainability requirements for approximately 35 labels that are part of the official Berlin Fashion Week calendar, for which the minimum standards will be introduced as a binding criterion. Implementation will take place in an introductory and pilot phase before becoming fully effective in February 2026.

background

The Sustainability Requirements were introduced by Copenhagen Fashion Week in January 2020 in close collaboration with In Futurum and Dansk Fashion & Textile. To respond to industry developments and changes in the EU policy landscape, they were updated in March 2024. The framework is an integral part of CPHFW's sustainability strategy and has been reviewed by its Advisory Board and an international panel of experts. The overarching goal is to drive holistic change in the fashion industry.

Since its introduction, Denmark's largest fashion fair, the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair , as well as the Norwegian Fashion Hub and Oslo Runway, have adopted the implementation of the Sustainability Requirements. In May 2021, the government-funded program "Fremtidens Tekstiler" selected the Sustainability Requirements as a framework to deliver a gap analysis to 50 SMEs, which is intended to lead to further action.

Specific adjustments for the BFW

In addition to the existing Sustainability Requirements Guidelines, the BFW will make specific adjustments and introduce several new elements that align with its values. As stated in its slogan, the BFW embodies freedom, inclusion, and creativity. Therefore, the specific adjustments address the key themes of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) across the fashion industry, which are essential to the BFW. Furthermore, the focus is on transparency and traceability throughout the entire value chain, an important issue in Germany, particularly in light of the Supply Chain Act. Further information on the specific adjustments will be published on the BFW website at a later date.

The Sustainability Requirements are a framework developed by Copenhagen Fashion Week .

More information can be found on the Berlin Fashion Week website.