During 2017, Dr. Anna Brismar of Green Strategy has been part of an expert panel for a new initiative of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, called the Circular Fibres initative.
The Circular Fibres Initiative brings together key industry stakeholders to build a circular economy for textiles, starting with clothing. Participants in the Circular Fibres Initiative will work together to define a vision for a new global textiles system, which will address the significant drawbacks of the ‘take-make-dispose’ model currently dominating the industry. The new system for textiles will be based on the principles of a circular economy, generating growth that benefits citizens and businesses, while phasing out negative impacts such as waste and pollution – an economy fit for the 21st Century. (Source)
As a first step, the Circular Fibres initiative will produce a comprehensive analysis of the textiles industry, with McKinsey & Company as Knowledge Partner, and with feedback from the expert panel. A first report is due for publication in Autumn 2017.
For more information, see the Circular Fibres Initiative.
JURY MEMBER FOR PROJECT JUST
In autumn 2016, Anna Brismar contributed as jury member for PROJECT JUST. PROJECT JUST is an initiative launched in 2014 by N Grillon and S Alshehail with a mission “to transform the fashion industry into a transparent, accountable and sustainable system that celebrates the stories, the people and the resources behind the clothing” (source). For this purpose, PROJECT JUST identifies and appoints brands, of different categories, which are seen to move “the industry in a positive direction” (source). Five categories of brands have so far been presented for the JUST APPROVED curated list of approved brands (as per January 2017). The selection process is based on careful research of main sustainability challenges, latest innovations, industry norms and best practice. It is lead by a project team and supported by special juries. Anna Brismar was appointed jury member for the category Handbags and Leather along with Elizabeth Kline, William Rossi and Jacinta Fitzgerald.
For more information, see the JUST APPROVED website.
CIRCULAR FASHION – SHOW & TALK 2014
In June 2014, Anna Brismar was appproached by Cradlenet (a non-profit Swedish organisation) to organize a sustainable fashion show in central Stockholm. With only two months at hand, no offered budget and limited team support, Anna accepted the proposal as an opportunity to promote sustainability and circularity in the Swedish fashion industry on a wider scale. Spurred by her own growing interest in circular economy and its implications for fashion and apparel, she embraced and refined the original concept by adding the circularity dimension, subsequently giving the event its name CIRCULAR FASHION – SHOW&TALK 2014 (CFST 2014). Hence, the term circular fashion was coined (by Anna Brismar in June 2014).
The CFST 2014 event was held on September 7 in Stockholm City. It consisted of an outdoor fashion show with professional models, hair stylists, makeup artists, a presenter, and DJ. Also it held two separate panel debates, with around 10 hand-picked panelists and a moderator, discussing circularity issues related to fashion and textiles for the first time in Sweden in a focused manner. The fashion show showcased both well-known and upcoming fashion brands, such as Filippa K, Nudie Jeans, Houdini Sportswear, Swedish Stockings, Globe Hope and Stormie Poodle.
The whole event was enabled thanks to numerous sponsors, including MIKA (model agency), Björn Axén (hair stylists), Maria Åkerberg (for makeup and artists), Sånge Design (graphics) and many others, of which several generously provided ‘goodies on demand’ to all backstage staff (models, stylists, makeup artists, etc). The panelists were instead offered special goodies by Maria Åkerberg and Ecocharter. Main sponsor of the event was Green Strategy, which not only provided the planning and managerial work but also financed the restaurant staff, security services and staff lunches.
Apart from being an inpsirational event, CFST2014 set the stage for the new concept ‘circular fashion’ on both the Swedish and international agenda. For more information, please visit circularfashionshowandtalk.com