CFDA launches new sustainability resource hub

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Jan 15, 2019

As part of the its ongoing commitment to sustainability through education and professional development, today, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), has launched the CFDA Sustainability Initiatives resource hub.

According to a press release, the eco-friendly initiative available on the CFDA website is "designed to provide open access resources and information specific to fashion design x business sustainable strategies," and is meant for "anyone in our community interested in learning more about sustainability and sourcing relevant contacts," from CFDA members to students. 

Through the hub, users will have access to a directory of 200 organizations, tools, and relevant resources about sustainability, the CFDA's Guide to Sustainable Strategies, a Sustainable Strategies Toolkit meant to detail sustainability priorities and a CFDA Materials Index of eco-friendly fabrics.

The CFDA said this new initiative is a response to the environmental threats detailed at the General Assembly Week at the United Nations last October, including accelerated global warming rates due in part to CO2 emissions, as well as the impact of single-use plastics. In its press release, the CFDA said that without "radical rethinking," this mounting problem is set to leave the ocean with more plastic than fish by 2050.

The new sustainability initiatives hub joins the CFDA’s educational initiatives, which support sustainable fashion prototyping, new models of social entrepreneurship and material innovation.

The US fashion institution also runs professional development programs such as the Elaine Gold Launch Pad, which connects emerging talent to mentors involved in sustainability, technology and innovation, and has an ongoing partnership with Lexus for a business development program.