British Fashion Council x Parley
In June 2020, Parley partner and collaborator the British Fashion Council launched the Institute of Positive Fashion, a new web platform dedicated to helping the fashion industry become more resilient, circular, equal and fair through global collaboration and local action.
In conjunction with the platform launch, Parley founder Cyrill Gutsch joined the British Fashion Council’s advisory board and the Institute of Positive Fashion steering committee. To further empower the partnership, Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council, joins Parley’s advisory board, creating a long-term partnership between Parley and the BFC to encourage positive change within the fashion industry.
To further celebrate the collaboration, Parley was honored with the opportunity to design The Fashion Awards 2020 Trophy out of Parley Ocean Plastic®, with 3D-printing design specialist Nagami. Each trophy is made from the equivalent of approximately 75 intercepted plastic bottles.
The trophy represents the BFC and Parley’s commitment to encourage positive change within the fashion industry, raise awareness and transparency to promote a more responsible future and encourage dialogue on environmentally conscious design. The trophy spotlights the necessity of creative collaboration and eco-innovation, essential to overcome the current threats facing our planet.
The new partnership aims to create proactive projects for students, education and mentoring, with Parley providing dedicated missions for the BFC and Institute of Positive Fashion network. This global alliance will help raise awareness for the ocean cause in the fashion world, and support Parley’s ongoing A.I.R Strategy to end marine plastic pollution.
The Institute of Positive Fashion aims to become an engine of change, providing a platform where stakeholders work together to support one another and address the significant challenges the industry faces, as a collective, bringing together global resources, information and campaigns to help industry leaders, innovators and creatives connect, collaborate and re-create a more responsible fashion industry.
“At times of crisis there is an opportunity to envision a new future,” explains Caroline Rush. “We are proud to share a platform where we can pool global resources and unite in action. There is so much more our industry can do, in so many ways. It has a powerful voice that influences many and it should be used to confront issues from environment to tackling racism and prejudice.”
“Fashion is made from this innovative fabric of creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration. It is built on dreams. Our partnership with the British Fashion Council will support us to make our AIR strategy the new standard for a new dream, one where toxic ingredients and harmful production methods are relics of the past. Together we will drive the Material Revolution! Avoid. Intercept. Redesign.”
CYRILL GUTSCH — FOUNDER & CEO, PARLEY
“We are proud to announce on World Oceans Day, but also to share a platform where we can pool global resources and unite in action. There is so much more our industry can do, in so many ways. It has a powerful voice that influences many and it should be used to confront issues from environment to tackling racism and prejudice.”
CAROLINE RUSH — CEO, BFC
The three pillars of the Institute of Positive Fashion
Environment
Exploring circular business models, circular design principles, innovative production processes, consumption and waste reduction.
People
Encouraging equal, diverse, empowered workforces from head office, to supply chain, to shop floor. With open, considerate and fair places to work.
Community & Craftsmanship
Focusing on the positive impact the fashion industry has on communities and the role that skills and craftsmanship can play in sustaining local livelihoods.