London Fashion Week Adopts Sustainability Standards
London Fashion Week is adopting sustainability standards to take clothing to a new level in 2025. It is the first of the ‘Big Four’ seeking fashion brands to abide by sustainability requirements. These requirements are a part of the Newgen incubation scheme that can turn London Fashion Week into a bigger hit for its international audiences.
Sustainability was a major concern at the Copenhagen Fashion Week as far back as 2019. The removal of single-use props at fashion shows and the usage of preferred materials to manufacture clothes and accessories was incredibly effective as a strategy to implement sustainability at the Copenhagen Fashion Week. Among the few requirements that Copenhagen demanded from its fashion brands were an ESG (environmental, social, and governance) strategy, diversity, and inclusion policy for new employees.
The success of sustainability standards at the Copenhagen Fashion Week has led London Fashion Week to follow in its footsteps. The British Fashion Council (BFC) has recently announced that it will pilot sustainability requirements in 2025 with the fashion brands that are associated with Newgen.
Sustainability is a trend in 2025
Most fashion brands displaying their latest collections at the London Fashion Week have started to adhere to sustainability criteria set by the BFC. Caroline Rush, the CEO of the British Fashion Council, has stated that BFC is thrilled to be aligned with Copenhagen Fashion Week sustainability standards as it reaffirms the council’s commitment to the global fashion industry.
The rise in sustainability standards in fashion has impacted various other industries such as, music, entertainment, and gambling. Online casinos are instating sustainability requirements on their websites to make gambling less harmful to the environment. The minimum requirements for sustainability have reduced paperwork to deposit and withdraw funds in online casinos. People have also begun gambling using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum in online casinos for faster transaction rates.
The use of renewable energy in sectors like gaming, gambling, and entertainment, can reduce carbon emissions on the planet. Global companies that have set up their stores and websites can adopt sustainability standards to decrease the cost of hiring, eliminate fines, and restrict the amount of carbon footprints generated from their data centers.
London Fashion Week bans exotic animal skins
Fashion brands were in for a shock at the end of 2024 when London Fashion Week announced the ban of exotic animal skins. As part of the ban issued by London Fashion Week, fashion brands are required to avoid the usage of skins like crocodiles, snakes, and other leathers derived from wild animals. The implementation of sustainability standards is a step towards removing fur from collections displayed at London Fashion Week.
High street brands in fashion have used leather to increase their margins and profits from sales. These brands are currently under scrutiny to be considered safe at the London Fashion Week. Burberry, the British fashion house, has made a commitment to exclude leathers from exotic animals since 2022 to establish itself as a leader in sustainability.
Animal rights activists were ecstatic that London Fashion Week was the first fashion event to impose a ban on exotic leathers in 2025. New York, Milan, and Paris, might join London Fashion Week in banning animal skins as a collective decision of the ‘Big Four’. The Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) is closely working with BFC and London Fashion Week to turn sustainability into a reality in the fashion industry. Berlin Fashion Week and Copenhagen Fashion Week are ahead of London Fashion Week in regulating sustainability standards for their fashion brands.
Biobased fashion could be the future of London Fashion Week
London Fashion Week is leaning towards biobased fashion brands for representation. The reduction of waste and plastics in fashion can lead to a brighter future for London Fashion Week. Events like the Endless Runway at London Fashion Week encourage fashion brands to devise greener methods of manufacturing clothes and quick disposal of waste.
Pre-owned clothes put on display at the London Fashion Week can practice biodegradable ways of eliminating waste to prevent carbon emissions. A growing number of fashion brands are beginning to accept that sustainability could be the answer to a global shift in perspective. These brands are ensuring that the disposal of waste and other unwanted materials from manufacturing processes can take place ethically to avoid ecological harm.
Patrick McDowell is one of the biggest names in biobased fashion to have showcased their collections at the London Fashion Week. Sustainability is at the core of Patrick McDowell’s creations. Known for its exquisite products and exceptional customer experiences, Patrick McDowell has prioritized the well-being of planet Earth over its profits.
Many fashion brands like Patrick McDowell provide certification for the garments they sell. Customers can rely on these certifications for transparency in tracing the resources to their roots. People trust luxury brands for their authenticity in delivering the best products that suit their sense of style.
Fabrics and materials used by sustainable fashion brands are free of petrochemicals, exotic animal skins, and toxic substances. Fashion has become a billion-dollar industry that is finding new ways to combat challenges in production.
Fashion shows like London Fashion Week let over 250 luxury designers and models walk the ramp with the latest creations. It has taken almost 40 years for London Fashion Week to make its mark on the fashion industry. The inclusion of sustainability standards at the London Fashion Week could be what it takes to reach the right people in the near future.