CFDA to push U.N. sustainability initiatives

The Council of Fashion Designers of America will be helping the United Nations with their call for the fashion industry to move toward more sustainable business practices. This year, the CFDA launched its sustainability-centered resource hub to provide members, educators, and other fashion industry professionals with open-access resources to the fashion industry. CFDA is especially focused on professional development and helping emerging brands have sustainability as a core part of their brand DNA.

On January 14, the CFDA will be launching a Materials index that will feature a directory of materials, including fiber information with descriptions. They will also be launching a Sustainability Directory to connect fashion designers, companies, and students with resources that include organizations and tools. Additionally, CFDA will be launching a Guide to Sustainability that will be a blueprint to help companies meet their sustainability goals. The CFDA will be promoting the new hub with a series of workshops and roundtable discussions.

These initiatives are a continuation of the launch of the Elaine Gold Launch Pad last year, which is a four-year partnership supported by 1.5 million dollar donation to the CFDA that provides a 22-week virtual residency for emerging designers to learn about sustainability and new innovation ideas to further their business.

Another virtual residency, the CFDA + Lexus Fashion Initiative, will support five apparel and accessories brands and help them learn about supply chain and make better decisions for both the environment and their own profitability. The program began in November and will run through June 2019.