Sustainable Fashion...Italian Style

In Sustainable Fashion…Italian Style! Barbara Pozzo begins the Symposium by addressing a hot topic in the fashion industry: sustainability. Acknowledging the work that has been done to incentivize sustainable development at the supranational level, Pozzo presents the EU framework for sustainable development and the relevant EU legislation for the textile and fashion industries. Highlighting registration and labeling norms, Pozzo also highlights the ethical codes of conduct that have been implemented by brands, luxury conglomerates, and industry associations, including the Camera Nazionale della Moda. Despite the laws currently in place and other encouraging steps, Pozzo highlights the continued prevalence of greenwashing and the importance of viewing sustainability policies from a 360-degree angle. With a history of creating textiles through processes that are closely linked to historic practices, traditions, and the environmental benefits of a specific territory, Italian fashion brands are offering, as Pozzo presents, innovative sustainable initiatives that can benefit the global fashion industry. The city of Como in Italy already embodies many of the best practices of sustainability, and Pozzo points out how the fashion brands in Como have instituted a number of important initiatives and collaborations.