Copenhagen, the vibrant Danish capital, known for its impeccable street style, will become even more colorful and lively when its Fashion Week rolls around this January, showcasing the collections for Autumn/Winter 2023.

The internet and press are already beginning to buzz about the new trends and designs we will see walk the runway, but also because Copenhagen Fashion Week has become the most sustainable event on the calendar as it requires all participating brands to meet 18 minimum standards for sustainability.

CPHFW first announced its sustainability strategy in 2020 “to offer a radical new approach to make real change within the fashion industry, as it continues to hold itself accountable and maintain transparency,” said Fashion United.

CPHFW said it had successfully met 35 of the 37 targets for its 2020-2022 Sustainability Action Plan. A new 2023–2025 Action Plan will launch, expanding on their initial goals and collaborations with external stakeholders.

In the midst of the new Action Plan, the Autumn/Winter 2023 showcase, taking place from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2023, required all participating brands to meet a minimum of 18 sustainability standards that include strategic direction, design, innovative material choices, working conditions, consumer engagement, and show production, said Fashion United.

The mandatory requirements include “zero-waste show productions, not using single-use plastic packaging, ensuring fair pay and working conditions across the supply chain, and producing collections from at least 50 percent certified, recycled, upcycled or deadstock materials. Brands must also show commitment to diversity and inclusion when hiring, particularly for management roles,” said Vogue Business.

CPHFW first announced the requirements in 2019 to allow the brands enough time to adjust to the mandatory standards. CPHFW also chose to work closely with the brands over the last three years to offer support and knowledge on sustainability to ensure the brands' participation in the showcase.

The brands included in the upcoming fashion week are Saks Potts, Ganni, Stine Goya, Holzweiler, and Rotate. Emerging brands Selam Fessahaye (Sweden), TG Botanical (Ukraine), and Stamm (Denmark) are the nominees for the annual Zalando Sustainability Award this year.

The CPHFW show committee and the CPHFW sustainability committee approved each brand. Only some brands were approved to participate in the show; however, “we will continue to support those that need a bit more time and hope they will be able to present with us in the near future,” said CPHFW CEO Cecilie Thorsmark, who made the 2022 BOF 500.

Although more designers are implementing sustainable practices into their collections to highlight during fashion weeks, CPHFW is the first to implement this Action Plan and level of sustainability criteria.

CPHFW added in the report, “our vision is to continue being an agenda-setting platform that uses its voice to accelerate sustainability efforts in the fashion industry.”

Copenhagen is always ahead with the upcoming fashion trends, and they continue to prove they are on top of their sustainability initiatives and business models. CPHFW is devoted to reducing the impact of annual fashion shows and promoting ethical and sustainable fashion businesses year around.

Fashion weeks are an easy time to lose focus amongst extravagant parties, runway shows, social media campaigns, and celebrity appearances. It’s even more crucial that CPHFW is reeling us back this year and reminding the world why we should care about the impact of fashion.

Although this fashion week is often buried under the famous New York, Paris, and Milan, I am confident that the pattern will no longer be as CPHFW is the start of a fashion revival.

-As always, elevate your wardrobe with respected fashion and embrace the shift in style

Writer’s Note: Thank you for taking the time to read our Tulerie Talks this year. Tulerie is proud to be amongst a community driven to educate itself on environmental sustainability. We can’t wait for 2023 and what the future holds for fashion. See you in the new year!