Fashion Changers Conference 2022?

What’s that?

So, the founders of Fashion Changers are Nina Lorenzen , Vreni J?ckle , and Jana Braumüller . On fashionchangers.de they not only tell about the dark side of the textile industry, they also show how sustainable and fair fashion can work, with the aim not only to enlighten but also to inspire. But Fashion Changers isn't just an online magazine, it's a movement. The three pillars of the online platform are the magazine, events, and political involvement.?On the opening evening of the Fashion Changers Conference, we met with other conference participants in PLATTE.Berlin to think about cooperation instead of competition and to expand our networks. There were fashion designers, label founders, and content creators as well as representatives of NGOs and other startups.?

The following conference days really continued in the same spirit: For example, we were really impressed by all the things we learned at the workshop about Greenwashing by Lavinia Muth . She not only gave practical examples of the harm Greenwashing can do, but also invited everyone to reflect and unlearn myths that are commonly spread in the fashion industry.??

This amazing opportunity to connect and meet fair fashion thought leaders without the thought of competition but with the aim to exchange ideas or even collaborate together on a shared vision gives a unique potential for change.?So we couldn’t agree more with Scarlett Fai?t , Feminism Ambassador at Wildling Shoes : “Collective movements have the potential to provide viable alternatives to the status quo. They show that there is another way.”? ??

The following two discussions are summarized, which had a big impact because we pondered a lot on them and discussed the thoughts and the stories that have been shared.

Everything (un)fair?

We were really happy that the conference started with a focus on fair production in the textile sector. The panel “Everything (un)fair? About the importance of fair production in the fair fashion industry” was a really important discussion with Anna Cavazzini, Member of the European Parliament for the The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament , Luís Miguel Máximo Alves from TMR Fashion Clothing , and Kalpona Akter , from the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity & Garment Association. The event was moderated by Anna Zeitler. Kalpona Akter really highlighted the fact that workers need the freedom to organize so they can negotiate with their factories. The fact that the factory Rana Plaza was certified by 5 parties shows how little some certificates can be trusted. For the possibility of change, she pointed out that workers need access to save grievance systems and in order for them to have a real impact, workers need access to remedy. Kalpona Akter continued by criticizing the fast fashion system that can only be successful because people are buying fast fashion.

So she asked all consumers to reflect on their shopping behavior: “How many winter jackets did your grandma have?”. Miguel reflected on ethical production in Portugal. Whereas, Anna Cavazzini argued for the importance of a legal framework to achieve systemic change. She share her political perspective on the matter and explained that the current economic situation can absolutely be no reason for her to discontinue her efforts in Supply Chain Due Diligence policies.

On the contrary, Anna Cavazzini said that these policies are even more needed in times like these because due diligence makes supply chains more resilient. Moreover, she pointed out that workers in global supply chains, for instance in the garment industry, are heavily influenced by inflation and oftentimes can't afford meals for themselves and their families anymore. Anna Cavazini suggested that a legislative piece missing in the current proposal for the EU Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive is an initiative against unfair business practices, as there are already well-working rules established for the agriculture sector. Kalpona Akter summarized her request to the attendees of the conference with the words: “Whatever your position is: please speak about the problems from your position and act accordingly! Things will not change if we don’t talk about it. That will make a difference.”?

The end as a beginning?

We also really appreciate the discussion about “The end as a beginning: How re-commerce concepts can be socially and economically successful within the framework of the circular economy”. Janis Kuenkler from reverse.supply , Yayra Agbofah from THE REVIVAL , and Ivana Perbi-Ohlheiser from ROBE discussed the importance of circular fashion and the horrible consequences of the current way of consuming and producing clothes. The session was moderated by Svenja Gr?fen . The WardROBE Affair is a Berlin-based peer-to-peer fashion platform with the motto “RENT. REUSE. 'ROBE”. Whereas THE REVIVAL is a non-profit and community-led design initiative creating awareness and education through the upcycling of textile waste coming from the so-called Global North to Ghana, which is based in Accra, Ghana. The Berlin-based startup reverse.supply helps brands & retailers become more sustainable by enabling them to own the resale of their products. Yayra Abgofah explained the negative environmental impact of textile waste on Ghana.

He shared the story of fishermen that find labels from fast fashion brands on the coast and in the sea, although those fast fashion brands don’t even have retail stores in Ghana. This really depicted how irresponsible it is to ship tons and tons of post-consumer waste from the so-called Global North to Ghana. Yayra Abgofah expressed “Recommerce and rental are one of the ways to address the problem.” - yet he added that “The way that fashion is consumed is the problem.” Janis Künker acknowledged that he cannot tackle with reverse.supply the totality of the fashion industry mess, but re-commerce is a step that also creates a business case for the brands. There is so much more to be done. Yet, technical solutions like reverse.supply, alternative offers like WardROBE Affair, and initiatives like THE REVIVAL are so important and showcase how to change the fashion industry can be changed for the better.

Thanks to all the speakers for sharing their learnings and their stories with the Fashion Changers community. We were so impressed with the event that we became members at Fashion Changers right away and we look forward to the next events full of #FashionChangersVibes. ??