The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will support three initiatives in the UK, the Netherlands and Spain, aimed at encouraging the use of recycled or natural materials in fashion.
According to UNCTAD, the initiatives are expected to result "in the creation of limited series of appealing, trend-conscious fashion products made from recovered and/or recycled clothing and fabrics."
1 June 2011: The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) announced its support to three initiatives in the UK, the Netherlands and Spain, seeking to encourage biodiversity in the world’s fashion industries. UNCTAD noted that the fashion industry currently makes extensive use of biological raw materials, and can contribute to biodiversity conservation through innovation and new ideas.
Support will be provided to: a new annual award category for environmentally sustainable fashion design, in cooperation with the London Fashioning the Future Awards Campaign; the Green Fashion Competition of the Amsterdam International Fashion week, which aims to identify entrepreneurs who create fashion businesses that sustain biodiversity; and the Coknit Connect project of the European Institute of Design, to support a research and experimentation project supporting design students in developing innovative uses of materials in collaboration with clothing companies.
UNCTAD stated the initiatives are expected to result “in the creation of limited series of appealing, trend-conscious fashion products made from recovered and/or recycled clothing and fabrics.” [UN Press Release] [UNCTAD Press Release]