the unwash • sustainability
Copenhagen Fashion Week wrapped at the beginning of February for the AW23 season, highlighting the feats of sustainable fashion. CPHFW’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation is unparalleled and continues to set a new industry standard. CPHFW has strict requirements for a designer to show their collection, including manufacturing regulations, safe working conditions, the banning of fur, and the condition that 50% of the textiles used are made from recycled materials. Rather than seeing this as a limitation for design, designers have capitalized on these rules and found unique innovation season after season.
CPHFW is held in conjunction with Zalando, which sponsors the Zalando Sustainability Award – TG Botanical, STAMM, and Selam Fessahye were the AW23 finalists, all of which are contributing to a positive future in Fashion. The Zalando Sustainability Award is awarded to a brand that is creating positive change and a more responsible fashion industry, each year this award continues, and more innovation occurs making the competition a close call between equally impactful brands. The winner receives €20,000 and the opportunity to create an exclusive collection with Zalando. This award hopes to help pioneer greater sustainable solutions in the fashion industry.
TG Botanical AW23
“This season is no exception as we have three female finalists with different backgrounds and stories – all with their own unique approach to sustainable product design and fashion. They are a vibrant and dynamic trio weaving the tapestry of the future of design.” – Laura Coppen, Head of Circularity at Zalando
STAMM Designer, Elisabeth Stamm
Ukrainian-based brand TG Botanical used plant-based materials in its collection, such as hemp and linen, and plant-based pigments for fabric dye. Designer Tatyana Chumak takes inspiration for their designs from technology and nature. The brand is produced locally in Kyiv, Ukraine. TG Botanical keeps every process, from manufacturing to shipping locally, to create minimal environmental impact.
Salem Fessahye, a Swedish-based designer, used the collection to showcase their self-made textile, composed of recycled materials. The brand is known for being host to the most diverse runway shows in all of CPHFW and is diversifying Scandinavian Fashion. The AW23 season continued the brand’s broad inclusion as they explored noble attire through a more diverse lens. Salem Fessahye puts a significant emphasis on upcycling and repurposing materials for its designs.
STAMM took home the Zalando Sustainability Award with its collection that featured cotton fabrics dyed from natural materials such as tree bark. The Copenhagen-based brand founded by Elisabeth Stamm focuses on gender-neutral designs. The brand has a heavy streetwear influence with an emphasis on individuality within the expression of clothing and the unity that comes from genderless Fashion. Showing for its third season at CPHFW, STAMM’s collection told a story of creativity and human connection. STAMM’s use of embroidery, handcrafted textile materials, and unique silhouettes was a highlight of the collection. CPHFW continues to push boundaries in the fashion industry, and the Zalando Sustainability Awards offers immense opportunities to further innovation.
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Attire the Studio
Attire is a luxury fashion brand based out of Paris that focuses on radical transparency, excellent quality, and ethical sourcing. The brand mainly sells luxury staples that will stand the test of time, such as classic trench coats, minimalist knitwear, and everyday basics.
02
Eauso Vert
Sourced with sustainable materials and committed to ingredient transparency, Eauso Vert is hoping to create a new standard in the luxury fragrance industry. Launched with six scents that range from fresh to woody and warm, there is a scent perfect for anyone. The founders reminisce on their memories with fragrance, whether childhood stories or travel, and wanted to create a fragrance line that helps the consumer tell a story.
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Suss Knits
The mother-daughter duo behind Suss Knits (pronounced sOOs) is committed to slow and small batch fashion and keeping their manufacturing process as low waste as possible. Intending to create a knitwear line focused on sustainability, ethical production practices, and inclusivity, Suss is creating knits to be enjoyed by everyone. Inspired by their Swedish heritage, 80’s grunge, and inspiring individuality, the brand capitalizes on knit as an art form.
