Just like the proverb, we believe that if you use a resource carefully, you will never be in need. But no matter how you turn it, a fashion fair generates a vast amount of material!

At CIFF we always aim to use sustainable materials wherever possible and encourage and help our exhibitors to consider alternative solutions to fit their needs. By reusing and repurposing the majority of what we produce, renting equipment and furniture and reconsidering the way in which items are made, we can reduce the need for new and eliminate waste.

We are privileged to be part of a bigger organization (BCHG) and our joint circular waste management processes bring us closer to our zero-waste goals and our energy savings to move towards 100% renewable energy sources.

At CIFF we support diversity, fostering and facilitating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome, regardless of gender, age, religion, or culture. We are proud to have more than 40 nationalities working in the wings BCHG and an equal division of gender representation, ensuring our fashion fair is as dynamic as it is diverse.

And as host to hundreds of brands, we recognize the importance of supporting a healthy lifestyle with food and beverage from sustainable sources. A meal has the power to forge relationships – not just with those who share it, but also with those who supply it. We meticulously plan and execute our biodiverse offerings, putting animal welfare and sustainable fishing practices on the menu, and reducing animal proteins that have a high carbon footprint. Sourced locally and organically, season-based ingredients are served as far as possible without the use of single-use plastic: instead, we use biodegradable disposables. Surplus food is donated to local charities and food waste is converted into biogas to fuel electricity and heating in local homes or soil that is used for our in-house decorations. Not only does our supply chain support biodiversity; our headquarters at Bella Center is home to six beehives, where thousands of hardworking worker bees provide delicious honey and support local urban biodiversity.

All of this means that we are dedicated to not only providing fashion fair visitors with an inspiring sartorial experience, but also a sustainable one. Together with our exhibiting brands, we want to be a leader in sustainability and take our commitment to it seriously, one step at a time. We can’t make up for past harms of our industry, but we can address them together to create a more sustainable future.

As a major player in the fashion field we play an integral part in helping the industry along.

As one of the only trade fairs, CIFF signed the Business of Fashion initiative #rewiringfashion, encouraging the industry to do longer seasons and to combine men’s and women’s fashion weeks, with the purpose of enabling longer full-price sell-through, minimize travel requirements and de-gender fashion week.

The growing demand from both consumers, civil society and government makes sustainability mission-critical for companies within fashion and apparel. The sharpened focus on sustainability might be the most important thing that has happened in the fashion industry since e-commerce and an inevitable path for us to go. CIFF Sustain is our pledge to facilitating and pushing the sustainable agenda -contributing to the massive transformation we all need to go through over the next couple of years.

Together with some of the most important players both nationally and internationally, including retail, brands and interest groups such as Selfridges, Prada and the British Fashion Council, CIFF commits to work for a more sustainable future within fashion.

#rewiringfashion is a proposal for the global fashion industry, the product of ongoing conversations between a growing group of independent designers, CEOs and retail executives from around the world who have come together in this challenging time to rethink how the fashion industry could — and should — work.

Read all about our focus areas, sustainable approach, activities and initiatives Click