The CDFA and the British Fashion Council demand a slower and more sustainable industry With an open letter, British and American designer wish for slower and more sustainable rhythms

One of the main consequences of the fashion crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, was an awareness by some of the main fashion players, including Giorgio Armani and Dries Van Noten, about the unsustainability of the current seasonal model that regulates the mechanisms of fashion retail. Today, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the British Fashion Council also joined the debate by publishing a joint message entitled The Fashion Industry's Reset. The document calls for a radical rethink of the way designers and brands conduct their business and present their collections. In particular, the message insists on the fast pace of the industry and the inadequacy of the seasonal model: 

For a long time, there have been too many deliveries and too much merchandise generated. With existing inventory stacking up, designers and retailers must also look at the collections cycle and be very strategic about their products and how and when they intend to sell them.[…] A slower pace also offers an opportunity to reduce the stress levels of designers and their teams which in turn will have a positive effect on the overall wellbeing of the industry. 

It is clear that, while speaking from its independent position, Armani, Van Noten, the CFDA and the British Fashion Council share a common message shared by much of the industry. On the part of the big luxury conglomerates, however, there are no clear answers or voices that support the point of view of those who call for a slower and more sustainable fashion.