The Sustainable Fashion Awards Returns To Milan
It's no secret that fashion’s relationship with the environment has been a tumultuous one. According to the UN Environment Programme, 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are a result of the industry, and the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles in microplastics are discarded into oceans every year. Looking to change the environmental impact of fashion the Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana (CNMI) is hosting the 2022 Sustainable Fashion Awards this September. The ceremony will take place at the end of Milan Fashion Week and recognise the brand’s taking innovative steps toward a more environmentally friendly industry.
In partnership with the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) of the United Nations, this year’s Sustainable Fashion Awards will present twelve awards, including the Visionary Award, and the Human Rights Award. The last ceremony was held in 2020, which was forced to present digitally because of the ongoing global pandemic. Looking to up the ante this year's presentation will be hosted by Almodóvar muse and red carpet renegade Rossy de Palma. It also marks the introduction of an Advisory Committee comprised of over 25 international and Italian associations and non-profit organisations related to sustainable fashion, which will determine the nominees and the 12 international jury members. Among the group responsible for choosing this years winners are model Teddy Quinlivan, Founder of the African Fashion Foundation Roberta Annan, and EFI Chief and Founder Said Simone Cipriani. 'Together with the CNMI we want to open up the way to sustainability that is transparent and based on a serious system of performance indicators,’ Cipriani explains.
Since 2011 the CNMI has been a leader in tackling sustainability issues offering a constant stream of information and tools for brands looking to take action. In 2012 it published its Manifesto for Sustainability, which not only highlighted its commitment to sustainability but also provided a guideline for ways in which companies can adopt environmentally responsible practices. Since then it's hosted talks and training opportunities for brands to incorporate sustainability goals into their objectives.
In a new collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, this year also sees the introduction of the Circular Economy Award which focuses on innovative circular design that not only helps eliminate waste and pollution but does so with products that circulate and regenerate the environment. 'Together [we] will celebrate and reward those who are putting circular design at the centre of an industry that can help to attack at the root the causes of global challenges such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity and pollution,' explains Dame Ellen MacArthur.
The 2022 Sustainable Fashion Awards is set to take place at the La Scala Theatre on 25 September.