On the very last day of Copenhagen Fashion Week SS25, the Danish Royal Academy and Copenhagen Fashion Week co-hosted an event to explore the dream of a sustainable fashion industry in the future.
The event was based on the future stories and dreams of the 2024 graduating fashion students and the researchers at Klothing – Centre for Apparel, Textiles & Ecology Research.
Participants experienced testimonials from six different futures. Based on these, they engaged in conversations with each other and each wrote a story about their dream for the future. (Experience the testimonials for yourself below.)
Else Skjold, Associate Professor and Head of Klothing, gave a welcome speech, which you can read below.
Welcome speech: We need more dreamers
Today you have conquered heavy rain to come here and perhaps had to reconsider what to wear, as the summery outfits of the past week needed a protective cover. This year has marked the sad record of heavy rain here in Denmark.
The climate crisis is here. It will not go away. It is unbearable. And we all know we need to do something about it. Some panic. Some get depressed. Some try to ignore it. Mostly, it is just difficult to understand what we need to do differently from what we do today.
This is the case in our private lives. But for sure, it is also the case with fashion as an industry. And as culture.
Much too often, the debate about sustainability and the climate crisis is locked into very technical discussions. Numbers that we cannot comprehend. And facts that we listen to but do not really understand.
All the reports and research in the world are deeply necessary. But they typically focus on what we need to stop doing, and not on what we should start doing.
Many say that fashion is about the dream. Even about escaping reality. Therefore, many also see sustainability as a threat to dreaming and to the immense creativity and power of fashion.
Here at the Royal Danish Academy, we believe that it is exactly the opposite. With new realities come new dreams that are worth believing in. And it will not look boring.
Dreamers, set in motion.
You are now ready to help us build the future.
You are now ready for Fashion Dreaming.
Six stories from the future
Looking Back from the Year 2064
“As I approach the end of my career, I would like to reflect on the significant progress we have made.
As a global society, we have faced deep divisions, fighting for scarce natural resources and safe locations. Yet, we have also learned to protect and cherish what remains.
As a fashion industry, we have been forced to make use of what is already available, producing only necessary items. Small-scale production has become the standard, with global companies unable to sustain old business models.
The thing from my work life that stands out the most is the feeling of being part of a global community fighting for the same cause. We forged a path forward through collaborative research and resource-aware thinking, even in the middle of crises.
We overcame the idea that fashion is solely about novelty and consumption. We fostered collaborative research between agricultural sciences and design fields, and became able to create fibres with limited resources.
Now, my wishes for the next generation of professionals are to continue this spirit of collaboration and engage with diverse perspectives to navigate future challenges.”
Looking back from the year 2080
“As I approach the end of my career, I would like to reflect on the significant progress we have made.
As a global society, we have created equal rights and leveraged technology to develop new forms of showing garments, mainly digital and virtual.
As a fashion industry, we have embraced sustainability, recycling fabrics, and lowering costs. We have blended with different industries to create immersive experiences, expanding beyond traditional collections.
As a professional within the field, I have grown through a curious approach, integrating technology with craftsmanship. I earned money, I gave myself time and space to explore and built a great network.
The thing from my work life that stands out the most is spreading warmth and love through my work, overcoming technical barriers and creating meaningful connections.
We overcame the fast fashion capitalist cycle and redefined what fashion means.
Now, my wishes for the next generation of professionals are to remain passionate, innovative, and committed to creating a positive perception of the industry.”
Looking back from the year 2063
“As I approach the end of my career, I would like to reflect on the significant progress we have made.
As a global society, we have recognized the deep entanglement of social, climate, and environmental justice and have started to act accordingly.
As a fashion industry, we have metamorphosed into something completely new, inspired by past practices and combining traditions with innovation. Textile literacy and craftsmanship have been revitalised.
The things from my work life that stand out the most are the collaborative efforts to promote textile design and craftsmanship. We created high-quality products, and educational initiatives flourished, promoting a renewed sense of textile citizenship.
We overcame the rapid production and consumption cycle, acknowledging the importance of quality and sustainability.
Now, my wishes for the next generation of professionals are to develop their work in a safer and more just world, engaging in knowledge sharing to support a renewed sense of textile citizenship.”
Looking back from the year 2067
“As I approach the end of my career, I would like to reflect on the significant progress we have made.
As a global society, we have become less consumer-oriented, valuing emotional connections with clothing and prioritising long-lasting, meaningful items.
As a fashion industry, we have moved away from meaningless trends and focused on quality and emotional longevity. We have stopped producing low-quality, fast-fashion items, embracing natural fibres and craftsmanship.
As a professional within the field, I have inspired and educated consumers and colleagues about the potential of well-made fashion design. Combining fashion design and education has been my passion.
The thing from my work life that stands out the most is teaching people the value of emotional longevity and quality in fashion. My work has inspired others to invest in items that hold personal value and inspire positive self-expression.
We overcame fast and meaningless fashion, bad quality, and inequality within the industry.
Now, my wishes for the next generation of professionals are to continue educating themselves, avoid overproduction, and maintain a focus on meaningful, high-quality fashion.”
Looking back from the year 2074
“As I approach the end of my career, I would like to reflect on the significant progress we have made.
As a global society, we have recognized our deep connection to the Earth and come together to fight for planetary justice.
As a fashion industry, we have detached from our destructive past, creating pathways for flourishing fashion ecologies and circular business models. Independent design businesses have thrived.
As a professional within the field, I saw the fashion industry transform when we embraced ethical practices and sustainability. We collaborated with diverse communities and innovators to create garments that respected both people and the planet. This new era prioritised transparency, regenerative materials, and circular models, redefining fashion as a force for positive change.
The things from my work life that stand out the most are the moments when the true ecological turn began. The collapse of fast fashion allowed smaller, ethical brands to succeed, and circular business models became the norm.
We overcame the dominance of low-quality, mass-produced garments and the environmental harm they caused.
Now, my wishes for the next generation of professionals are to keep listening to the needs of the Earth and its diverse life forms, asking how fashion can serve them.”
Looking back from the year 2060
“As I approach the end of my career, I would like to reflect on the significant progress we have made.
As a global society, we have managed to buy less but better, focusing on what is truly valuable. We celebrate and foster inclusivity and diversity in thought and beings.
As a fashion industry, we have eliminated greenwashing and established local, place-based value chains. Our thriving sector offers unique and exciting ways of self-expression through sustainable practices.
As a professional within the field, I have had the privilege of developing new techniques and materials, combining artistic know-how with an inclusive approach. I have been part of an inspiring community, investing in knowledge-building and sharing.
The thing from my work life that stands out the most is my color work and simple yet captivating silhouettes. My garments, designed to last, have made users feel content and appreciative, and even fostering a new mindset.
We overcame overconsumption, ignorance, and the idea that fashion is only about the new and trendy.
Now, my wishes for the next generation of professionals are that they will continue to build upon this new value set, creating innovative and inclusive fashion that enhances well-being and personal expression.”
