Royals Back Fashion Sustainability in Britain and Denmark
08-12-2023
Leading figures from the global fashion industry have gathered in Copenhagen for the 2-day annual Fashion Summit (15th/16th May) to discuss a hot industry topic – ‘Sustainability in Fashion’. Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark is patron of the 2018 Summit and has been since 2009, she met and talked with exhibitors and additionally gave a key speech on the importance of implementing strategies to ensure positive change for all.
(Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark meets exhibitors at the annual Copenhagen Fashion Summit – image courtesy of the CFS)
“The fashion industry has a goal, to transform the way we produce, market and consume fashion. It is an ambitious and complex goal and it is absolutely essential that we achieve it. Essential for people, planet and prosperity – our future.”
Meanwhile closer to home the HRH The Prince of Wales met today (16th May) with British designers and fashion businesses who are dedicated to sustainability and championing positive change for the future of the fashion industry, at White City House.
(West City House Royal Visit by Darren Gerrish for the British Fashion Council.)
His Royal Highness was met by Nick Jones, founder of Soho House, who gave him a quick tour before His Royal Highness cut the ribbon officially opening White City House, giving it his royal seal of approval.
His Royal Highness then spent time in the company of Bethany Williams, Mother of Pearl and Teatum Jones discussing material innovation, the circular economy, craftsmanship and community. The visit was part of the British Fashion Council’s Positive Fashion initiative, a platform designed to use the power of collective influence to gather thought leadership, celebrate industry best practice and encourage future business decisions to create positive change.
The Prince of Wales has previously supported the work of The British Fashion Council by hosting the launch of London Collections: Men at St James’s Palace in June 2012 and also founded the Campaign for Wool to encourage ecologically responsible fashion which prioritises natural fibres and has a low carbon footprint.
Earlier in the day, The Prince of Wales was joined by The Duchess of Cornwall at a visit to the YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP’s Tech Hub where they were met by YOOX Net-a-Porter Group’s CEO Federico Marchetti and British Fashion Council CEO, Caroline Rush.
There, the Royal guests saw how Artificial Intelligence is being used to design an unparalleled future shopping experience. Personalised prototype homepages based on Their Royal Highnesses’ diaries brought this vision to life.
Caroline Rush CBE, CEO British Fashion Council commented: “The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have long been supporters of sustainability, wool and local manufacturing. We are honoured that his interest in our Positive Fashion initiative shines a light on the great work being done by individuals and businesses in fashion. The visit to YNAP was a great example of how London leads in ecommerce and how those businesses are not only shaping our industry, but also our local communities.”
(Fashioned From Nature at the V&A.)
For those wanting to explore the concept of fashion and sustainability the latest exhibition at the V&A ‘Fashioned From Nature’ takes a look at our very complex relationship between the two. It clearly and visually represents our fashion history and how the industry needs to implement change to tackle the many environmental issues head on. The V&A are also hosting a series of talks and events to coincide with this exhibition.
Fashioned From Nature is on now until Sunday, 27 January 2019 at the V&A, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL, London.
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