First established in 2017 by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (National Chamber of Italian Fashion) and Eco-Age, a brand consultancy, committed to helping brands create a culture of purpose and sustainability, the Green Carpet Fashion Awards are an annual awards ceremony honoring the commitment of fashion houses and talented individuals to the sustainability cause. It celebrates their efforts to utilize alternative materials, reduce plastic pollution and waste, and preserve small-scale sustainable businesses. This year’s award ceremony took place on Sunday 22nd September, the final day of Milan Fashion Week, at the Teatro alla Scala, one of the most famous opera houses in the world. The theme of the event was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, for the 500th anniversary of his death. Guests and award winners walked into the historical venue on a green carpet made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon. This material is created from nylon waste found in landfills and oceans, such as discarded fishing nets. The organizers of the event stated that following the awards, the carpet would be recycled and all flowers used for decoration would either be donated or replanted.
Adut Akech, one of the hosts of the event wore a stunning turquoise Valentino gown created from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified silk. Singer Jess Glynne wore a Vivienne Westwood dress made of GOTS certified organic peace silk, while models Alessandra Ambrosio, Elsa Hosk and Izabel Goulart all wore Etro gowns made from existing fabrics, printed in Como, Italy. To view all the beautiful sustainable looks from the awards, click here. The winners were presented with a handcrafted statuette, depicting a woman, whose braid, and the apple she is holding, were produced using certified ethical gold. The statuette also featured an engraved apple tree on the thermoformed glass cape behind the woman. Valentino Garavani, founder of the world-famous fashion house Valentino, received the Legacy Award, presented by none other than Sophia Loren. The chairman of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, Carlo Capasa and Livia Firth, the co-founder of Eco-Age said in a joint statement that “through his iconic work spanning over five decades, championing Italian talent, design and fashion, Valentino is a creative visionary and truly deserving of the Green Carpet Fashion Award’s Legacy Award.”
Some of the other notable award winners were the Venetian Gondoliers, who received the Eco-Stewardship Award for their use of ethical merino wool in their striped uniform. Stella McCartney, who wore a sustainable viscose black dress from her Autumn/Fall 2019 collection, much deservingly received the Groundbreaker Award for her persistent dedication to ethical practices and commitment to sustainability. In her speech, she expressed that “sustainability is today a global open workshop, an ongoing process propelled forward by trials and errors. The definitive solutions have yet to come - that’s why the conversation has to be circular, with as many players as possible taking part in the debate.” The Circular Economy Award was received by Healthy Seas, a non-governmental initiative which sees 100 volunteer divers and fishing communities cleaning the North Sea, Adriatic Sea and Mediterranean from discarded fishing nets and other ocean waste, and transforming this waste into ECONYL® regenerated nylon. The award was presented by Lorenzo Bertelli, heir of Prada, which in July unveiled their Prada Re-Nylon line of bags, all made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon. A complete list of all 12 award winners can be found here.
It is no secret that the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, emitting 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases each year. According to France’s environmental and energy management agency, this is more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. After facing increasing backlash from eco groups, the luxury fashion industry is finally taking sustainability more seriously. More than 30 leading companies signed the G7 Fashion Pact back in August, which was put together by French president Emmanuel Macron and François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of Kering. The pact outlines core targets and objectives within three areas: Climate, Biodiversity and Oceans. The aim of the pact is to reduce the industries environmental impact and will require many brands to make significant changes. One brand who is already making changes is Gucci. A few weeks after the G7 summit, Gucci announced that they are now entirely carbon neutral in their operations and across their entire supply chain. They also stated that they are helping to conserve forests through four-UN backed projects. As the topic of sustainability within fashion continues to dominate conversations, it is encouraging to see leading companies, brands and individuals within the industry initiating change, and it is even more encouraging that these committed individuals are being recognized for their efforts in a one of a kind awards ceremony. To find out more about sustainability within luxury fashion click here.