Copenhagen Fashion Week boasts some of the industry’s most exciting brands, and as we welcome the return of catwalks once more, we can’t wait to see what this season has to offer. The Danish capital is home to many chic Scandinavian labels, which can all be found hanging in the most stylish of women’s wardrobes, and is also the home of some particularly inspiring street style.

Not only is the event (which takes place for autumn/winter 2022 over 1-4 February) aesthetically pleasing, it also takes the lead with highlighting one of the most important conversations in fashion: sustainability.

This season, we’ve worked with Copenhagen Fashion Week and Creative Denmark to understand what it really means to be a responsible brand in the current climate, and what both designers and consumers can do better to look after the planet we call home.

Below, Caroline Fjelddahl (chief product officer at By Malene Birger), Lauren Bartley (sustainability director at Ganni), and Henrik Vibskov (designer at Henrik Vibskov) discuss why working with smart materials is vital for a greener future, as well as how shoppers themselves can apply this to their own wardrobes and attitudes to fashion.

WHAT DOES A HEALTHY SUPPLY CHAIN LOOK LIKE?

Caroline Fjelddahl: “A healthy supply chain is simple, lean and agile, with a limited number of suppliers for better communication. It focuses on expertise before price; when working with different product types such as woven, knitwear, bags, shoes, jewellery, we as a brand need the support of experts in each respective area. Lastly, it’s about partnership for us – our suppliers that have been onboard for a long time are more likely to be the best and most flexible partners in turbulent times, such as Covid-19 has proven to be.”

Lauren Bartley: “It’s a broad term, but essentially it’s a traceable and transparent supply chain. Fashion supply chains are immensely complex, and a product can have up to 10 suppliers. Ganni currently has 100 per cent traceability on stage one to four of our supply chain, and we’re in the process of collaborating with our long-term suppliers on ensuring workers’ rights for all people involved in making our designs come to life.”

Henrik Vibskov: “Communication, honesty, trust and longevity.”