Some of the biggest names in global fashion worked their business muscle in a different way at the Runway to Green event presented by Vogue in New York last week.
The list of participating labels reads like a who’s who: Gucci, Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, Jason Wu, Stella McCartney – fashion’s biggest names combining their collective influence to draw attention to what has long been an elephant in the room: the sustainability of the fashion industry.
While sustainability is high on the agenda for many Australian companies this financial year and ongoing, it seems to be a long way from front of mind for local fashion businesses. Though many of the global industry’s biggest names are addressing this issue, the Australian industry is struggling to keep up with the shift in focus.
The emergence of sustainability focused events in this year’s L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Cultural Program, held last month, shows signs of hopeful promise. The Spirit of the Black Dress Runway and Exhibition, now in its third year, again highlighted the work of emerging Australian designers working within a set of sustainability criteria.
There was also the panel discussion (run by yours truly) on the question “Is Fashion Sustainable?” featuring some of Melbourne’s leaders in the field. The discussion was attended by 80 passionate sustainability advocates and key industry thinkers.
One of the event’s key panelists, Kerryn Caulfield, Director of Apical and an expert in textile waste, has provided the catalyst for a shift in industry thinking, guiding the Industries Association Consortium to develop the Big Green Conference – a one day event set to highlight the innovation already underway in sustainable fashion and textiles both locally and internationally.
The event, to be held at The Pier, Geelong this Thursday April 7, will showcase a spectacular line up of local and international speakers discussing the full scope of sustainability in the textiles and apparel industries.
Andreas Streubig from German superbrand Otto will discuss their global sustainability strategy and Swedish scientist Professor Mohammad Taherzadeh will illustrate his research in converting old jeans into biogas and fish food.
Local heroes like Sustainability Strategist Matt Perry from the Republic of Everyone, Lifecycle Analysis Expert Leyla Acaroglu from EcoInnovators and Target Australia’s Jill Moodie will also outline local initiatives.
According to Jo Kellock of the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia, the event can’t come soon enough as Australia is at risk of drastically lagging behind in this area. “Whether we like it or not, we need to be addressing the environmental, ethical and economic sustainability of not just the local industry but the global industry,” she says. “We will be forced to question every aspect of our business. We can either come to the table willingly or begrudgingly. The smart thing to do would be to take the initiative.”
Though the introduction of a carbon tax poses a new challenge for businesses, it also presents a great opportunity for Australia to lead the way. Thursday’s event will highlight this potential and help businesses navigate their way through this field of innovation.
The conference will be held on Thursday April 7th, 2011 at The Pier, 10 Western Beach Foreshore Road, Geelong. The program runs from 9.30am to 5pm and will be followed by a dinner for attendees from 6.30pm.
For further details and to register for the event please visit: www.biggreenconference.com.au
