What happened at The Institute for Positive Fashion Forum?

For decades, the British Fashion Council (BFC) has commanded the attention of the fashion industry, defining itself as a paragon of both responsible and creative enterprise while bolstering the global eminence of British fashion. Not shy of tackling fashion’s most imminent issues, from sustainability to inclusivity, the BFC created the annual Institute for Positive Fashion (IPF) Forum in 2021 with the aim of accelerating the transition to a circular fashion economy in the UK and beyond. It is through this annual forum that the pinnacle of the IPF’s triumphs is unveiled—a gathering that serves as the springboard for tangible change by convening designers, brands, investors, innovators, academia, economists, consultants and disruptors. 

Once inside the Forum’s exclusive confines, attendees are transported to a playground of thought-provoking talks and transformative workshops. These immersive experiences are carefully curated to impart wisdom on adapting business models and work practices across the entire fashion sector. One session that captured the audience’s attention was titled ‘How to Embrace a Just Transition,’ featuring a diverse range of speakers. Among them were Philippa Grogan, a Sustainability Consultant at Eco-Age, Laura Macias, the Global Lead at RISE Women’s Advancement & Leadership, Selyna Peiris, Co-founder of the Positive Impact Consultancy, and our very own Daniel Peters, Founder of Fashion Minority Report.

The discussion was ablaze with the captivating concept of a “just transition” in the fashion industry—a powerful call to reassess our paths and embark on a transformative journey toward a more equitable and environmentally responsible future. Peiris, fueled by passion, fervently argued that fashion must break free from perpetuating and exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities. Sustainable practices should never come at the expense of workers’ rights, marginalised communities, or vulnerable populations. Rather, the industry should strive for a delicate equilibrium, where both ecological and social considerations are taken to heart.

Peters, armed with a deep understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, placed a spotlight on the critical importance of fair wages, accessible healthcare, social benefits, and the promotion of gender and racial equity. Underscoring the urgent need to prioritise workers’ empowerment by granting them a voice in decision-making processes and unwavering support for their rights to organise.

Taking the environmental front and shining a luminous light on it, Grogan unveiled the transformative power of embracing circularity and reducing the fashion industry’s ecological footprint. This endeavour encompasses a wide array of sustainable practices, including recycling, upcycling, and waste minimisation. Moreover, it entails adopting environmentally friendly materials, slashing greenhouse gas emissions, and implementing responsible water and energy management. It’s important to note that a just transition goes beyond the immediate fashion cycle, delving into the realms of resource extraction, pollution, and the far-reaching consequences on precious ecosystems.

The British Fashion Council’s (BFC) Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF), DHL and Roland Berger’s ‘Solving Fashion’s Product Returns’ report states that to enable change, we have to assess the underlying causes, suggesting to do this with advanced analytics systems. Minimising environmental impact necessitates operational efficiency through technological innovation. Solutions such as local drop-off points, electric vehicles, smart routing for greener transportation, and digital passports for efficient returns handling can all contribute to this cause.

Later in the day, the IPF Forum hosted a captivating session titled “Forces of Change: Representation and Inclusion,” moderated by the Founder of The Outsiders Perspective, Jamie Gill. The stage was set for inspiring conversations between Hannah Karpel, a graduate of CSM, Aswan Magumbe who is currently studying Fashion Communications at CSM, as they sat alongside their tutor Bernie Yates and Daniel Peters.

Karpel and Magumbe shared their insights gained from a remarkable three-month project in partnership with the BFC. Their mission? To document young people’s experiences of fashion in the vibrant North East of England and revolutionise the fashion landscape beyond the confines of London. As they embarked on this journey, they discovered a vivid tapestry of untapped talent yearning to be acknowledged on a global stage. They aimed to dismantle the barriers that had confined fashion opportunities solely to London, and through their work, they celebrated diverse voices, narratives, and identities that shape the industry.

Daniel Peters added to the conversation, emphasising the importance of an intersectional approach to embracing individuals from every kind of lived experience. However, he noted the challenges faced during times of recession, as budget cuts often target DEI teams, making it more difficult to continue the wave of change that ignited during 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests. Nevertheless, Peters’s message was clear: inclusivity must remain a priority, even in challenging times.

Leveraging its expansive global network, the IPF orchestrates the convergence of industry titans, governmental bodies, scholarly institutions, and other stakeholders. It creates a fertile ground for collaboration on comprehensive metamorphosis programs that accelerate progress and steer the industry towards the zenith of prosperity in the circular fashion economy. The IPF’s commitment to positive fashion goes beyond mere rhetoric. It is an institute that empowers change-makers and visionaries, encouraging them to challenge the status quo and reimagine a fashion industry that is both ethically responsible and creatively bold. Through the annual IPF Forum and its transformative sessions, the institute sets the stage for a future where sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity are not mere aspirations but fundamental pillars of the fashion landscape.