Cecilie Thorsmark on Copenhagen Fashion Week’s vision for inspiring sustainability

From August 7 to 11, Copenhagen Fashion Week returned to the international runway calendar with its summer edition, held in parallel with the first joint edition of the CIFF and Revolver trade fairs. This edition (characterised by heavy rainfall) marked a milestone in achieving the three-year Action Plan of the event. This roadmap, initiated in January 2020, is defined by a mandatory list of 18 sustainable requirements for all participating brands, including notable names like Rotate, Ganni, Helmstedt, and Saks Potts.

Along with the unveiling of its innovative alliance with the Spanish swimwear fashion event Gran Canaria Swim Week by Moda Cálida (a pioneering example of synergies between international fashion events), FashionNetwork.com interviewed Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

FashionNetwork.com: How did the idea of collaborating with another international fashion week come about, and why Gran Canaria Swim Week by Moda Cálida?

Cecilie Thorsmark: This collaboration was born through our association with the European Fashion Alliance. I perceive it as an experimental event, showcasing the power of collaboration and the significant potential of such a partnership to accelerate international synergies and alliances. This approach is a clear win-win, amplifying the visibility and messages of both parties.

FNW: Due to such initiatives, Copenhagen Fashion Week is recognized as one of the pioneering events shaping the future. What other strategic directions are you pursuing?

C.T: Over the past five years, our most fervent aspirations have been directed toward advancing the realm of sustainability. This is an entirely new focus for us, one we will continue to develop in the coming years. It has become a cornerstone of what defines our fashion week and its purpose. Our platform and considerable influence as a major event will be harnessed to drive change within the fashion industry. We intend to do so through our sustainability requirements, introduced in 2020 and implemented this year.

Primarily, this entails that all participating brands in our fashion week must adhere to a set of 18 minimum criteria. This distinctive selection process is unique to Copenhagen Fashion Week. We hope that this will facilitate collaboration with international fashion weeks and fashion institutions, allowing them to integrate our developed sustainability framework.

FNW: How do you envisage relationships with other fashion weeks and the potential alliances that can be forged among them?

C.T: To foster mutual inspiration among the major fashion weeks, I believe that the most vital task is to take significant strides in sustainability. Naturally, in our case, we also admire the allure of fashion, the celebration of grand maisons, and the remarkable creativity that fuels emerging designers at Paris Fashion Week. Likewise, we maintain strong ties with London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week. I am convinced that we can cultivate synergies and draw inspiration from one another in diverse ways to collectively enhance this industry.

FNW: Do you observe that there still exists a distinct mentality among events, and does Copenhagen Fashion Week lead the way in sustainability?

C.T: Certainly, I believe there are still differences in mindsets. As a relatively young fashion week, we lack the same advantages or historical luxury maison presence as some other fashion weeks do. Thus, it’s crucial for us to carve out our position and set ourselves apart. We are not striving to become something we are not; rather, we aim to uphold the essence of our society, which is intrinsically tied to values of sustainability and environmental respect. Achieving a role as pioneers in sustainability feels entirely organic for our fashion week.

FNW: In this regard, how do you envision the future of fashion weeks, given the need to rethink events post-pandemic and for the sake of the planet?

C.T: The future of fashion weeks revolves around two clear objectives. Firstly, it’s about celebrating craftsmanship and creativity, propelling both emerging designers and established brands forward. Secondly, it primarily involves exploring avenues to minimise our carbon footprint, reduce natural resource consumption associated with producing and organizing a fashion week. Moreover, we play a pivotal role in inspiring other sectors and leading the charge in this culture so that they may follow our example. To me, that is the ideal scenario for the future.

FNW: What feedback have you received from brands, buyers, or attendees of Copenhagen Fashion Week?

C.T: Our brands and collaborators are fully aware of our commitment and efforts toward sustainability. Effectively conveying the message of our endeavors has been absolutely crucial. It’s essential for them to understand that our work is on their behalf, not against them. We do this because we genuinely believe it’s the future of the fashion industry, an ambitious path of eco-responsible requisites that will guide us toward a better place. We are here to assist firms and creators, supporting and motivating them to address the challenges we’re setting forth. Clear and positive communication has been instrumental in this regard.

FNW: This season is defined by the joint celebration of the CIFF and Revolver fairs. What is your opinion of this alliance?

C.T: It is a highly positive initiative for both the industry and our city, as well as for attendees of Copenhagen Fashion Week. Logistically, it ensures a smoother and more cohesive experience. This unity will undoubtedly yield positive results for our entire fashion industry.