Afw’s sustainability standards for designers and partners
Designers must adhere to the sustainability standards to be part of AFW's Fashion Agora and fashion shows. The standards are divided into social sustainability and environmental sustainability and designers must adhere to both. AFW collaborates with designers and businesses that are already sustainable and sets the direction for future sustainable fashion.
sustainability standards -environmental
For designers:
Designers must meet one of the following criteria:
Production must be based on a demand-driven model designed to minimize overproduction. This may include made-to-order, pre-order, limited-batch production or other documented approaches where production volumes are aligned with actual or anticipated demand.
At least 60% of the materials used must be lower-impact alternatives to conventional virgin materials, supported by recognized certifications, recycled content, deadstock or equivalent.
The following standards must always be followed:
Excess production must not be burned to maintain brand value
Clothing must be produced with the intention of lasting at least 4 years
For partner retailers working with second-hand clothing:
For other retailers, the business model must be based on one of the five circular business models, which include:
Product as a service (rental of clothing with maintenance responsibility)
Sharing economy (providing a platform where clothing circulates rather than remaining unused in a closet)
Extended lifespan (repair service or similar)
Reuse
Take-back (buying back the clothing for repair or similar in exchange for a voucher that provides a discount on another product).
sustainability sTandards - Social
For Designers:
Designers must meet one of the following criteria:
Have a near-shore production where European standards apply to working conditions.
Comply with the SA8000 standard (social performance in 8 areas demonstrating their commitment to fair treatment of workers in the supply chain of products).