The UK’s Department for International Trade in Italy in partnership with YOOX is launching a digital pop-up gallery of British sustainable fashion brands.
The UK Fashion for a Sustainable Future pop-up gallery is a one-time project that will run from 30th September to 31st December 2021 on YOOXYGEN, https://www.yoox.com/project/yooxygen, the YOOX platform section dedicated to sustainable products. The brands featured are diverse in size, origin and age of founders, but all are authentically committed to sustainability and targeting to the next generation of consumers.
The gallery is part of The Road to COP26 programme of events taking place at UK House Villa Necchi Campiglio from 29th September to 1st October and is also included in the official All4Climate Italy 2021 programme promoted by the Italian Ministry for Ecological Transition. The initiative will demonstrate how an international luxury e-commerce platform and government can collaborate to reach a global audience of young consumers and create a positive impact on their buying behaviour.
The selection process is based on the UN sustainability criteria, also highlighted by the G20 resolution: innovation, design and manufacture to ensure product longevity, enabling repair, reuse and recycling, sustainable use of natural resources, minimising waste and emissions, regenerating ecosystems, sustainable supply chains, and creation of sustainable and socially inclusive business models, in accordance with national priorities and policies.
The eight sustainable British brands, which have been jointly selected by YOOX and Marina Iremonger – Head of the Creative, Consumer & Retail team of the Department for International Trade in Italy, are: Alighieri, Bottletop, Finisterre, Jo Gordon, Ninety Percent, The Jacksons, Toms and Vivienne Westwood.
This initiative offers young fashion consumers examples of inclusive, sustainable, ethical labels: behind these products there are artisans and workers from a variety of countries who collaborate with British designers, demonstrating the value of UK as a platform for international collaboration.
Jill Morris, British Ambassador to Italy
We are happy to partner with the Department for International Trade on such an important occasion as the Pre-COP26. YOOXYGEN was the first online platform solely dedicated to responsible fashion, which has always been at the core of our corporate mission. We are on an important journey towards a deeper sustainability approach and we are happy to partner with a like-minded brand and institution.
Manuela Strippoli, YOOX Brand Director
COP26 is the United Nations climate change conference taking place in Glasgow in November 2021. With the UK Presidency in partnership with Italy, COP26 will bring together almost every country on earth to increase global climate ambition. Italy will host key preparatory events in Milan, the Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition (28 – 30 September 2021) and the Pre-COP Summit (30 September – 2 October 2021).
The UK and Italian governments are working to put climate change and the reversal of biodiversity loss at the heart of the multilateral agenda, advancing the climate agenda and encouraging countries, businesses and civil society to take concrete actions towards our shared climate goals.
Among consumer goods, fashion is responsible for 8% of annual global carbon emissions*. To address this crucial global issue the not-for-profit UK organisation WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) has launched Textiles 2030, a 10-year voluntary action plan backed by Government and major UK fashion organisations.
It aims to cut carbon by 40%+, to align with the 1.5°C global target, cut water by 30% and create and deliver a circular textiles roadmap for the UK.
Textiles 2030 will help drive this transformation, to shift to greater circularity and innovation in the UK and help in our mission to build back greener from the Covid pandemic.
Rebecca Pow, Under Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment
*Quantis (2018) Measuring Fashion – Environmental Impact of the Global Apparel and Footwear Industries Study
The UK will enforce by law the target of reducing greenhouse gases by 78% from the 1990 levels within 2035. It was the first country to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, actively endorsing the UN’s global campaign Race to Zero and launching a Clean Growth strategy in 2018, where sustainable consumption is a focus area.
In its COP26 Presidency role, the UK is collaborating with businesses and organisations that have set ambitious net zero commitments by 2050 or earlier.
YOOX, part of YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP, through its 2030 ‘Infinity’ sustainability strategy, combines an ambitious vision with 12 measurable commitments to 2030, all connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Group’s aim with ‘Infinity’ is to shape a future where loved products are made to last, where customers are equipped with options and knowledge to make informed choices. It also aims at extending the lives of their garments, where the next generation is readied for a more sustainable, circular and inclusive future, and where luxury and fashion can play their part in restoring balance to the planet.
To drive this forward YOOX NET-A-PORTER is building on its legacy in sustainability initiatives such as YOOXYGEN, established in 2009, the first online platform solely dedicated to responsible fashion.
Over the last decade, YOOX has continued its mission to equip designers with the support network needed to explore responsible creative and production processes and provide customers with ethical fashion choices. For the last 12 years, YOOX has continuously spearheaded initiatives that have brought together established and emerging talents from across the fashion spectrum to enable a better more responsible fashion future.
The UK and the Italian Governments, fashion industry and designers, suppliers and retailers are taking action to decrease the impact of fashion on the resources of our planet.
To support this ambitious effort, DIT has also launched a Europe wide Clean Growth campaign with a full programme of events. Further information at:
https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ehome/cleangrowtheurope/home/
