Planet People Hope
The New Strategy
Outcomes of the new strategy
- Strong messaging – Planet People Hope
- Meaningful ‘inclusive’ branding
- Strong relationship between fashion industries and governments (intergovernmental organisation)
- Re-thinking funding – how can fundraising contribute towards establishing Planet People Hope brands
- Creating a credible CFC APP–starting with CFC NEWS and developing over time into a fashion community for 56 industries
- Re-thinking Fashion education to incorporate the values and aspirations of the Commonwealth Charter
- Occupying abandoned space across Commonwealth cities–through the Commonwealth Fashion District strategy.
- Building on the intergovernmental organisation outcome – we want to facilitate Commonwealth fashion policies and agendas for far reaching and impactful change.
Activities
Blue Fashion
The Commonwealth Fashion Industries are a major polluting sector. Increasing demand for cow leather means an upward increase of CO2 emissions with the tanning process further contributing to the release of pollutants. Water consumption, use of pesticides, chemicals, and petroleum in the production of textiles all adversely affect the Commonwealth Fashion landscape.
Additionally, synthetic fibers release significant amounts of micro plastic in the water systems, affecting the entire food chains, debilitating communities and livelihoods, and contaminating crops.
These worrisome environmental practices in the fashion industry pushed a number of fashion innovators to look into more sustainable supply of alternative leather.
According to Food and Agriculture Organisation, the world needs 50 percent more food by 2050 to meet the demand of the population. Fish supplies account for about 17 percent of animal protein and according to fisheries experts, one ton of fish fillets produce an estimated 40 kilos of discarded skin.While fish leftovers become fishmeal for animals or simply thrown away, the old practice of turning fish skin into leather has taken a popular turn. Fish skins have delicate layered patterns that are unique in the natural world, they are also flexible, and can be sustainable sources and alternatives to cow and other types of leather.
Blue fashion is an emerging sector–championed by the Commonwealth Fashion Council–in the blue economy and it focuses on the use of marine raw materials and by-products to develop sustainable bio-alternatives for the fashion industry.
Commonwealth Fashion Education
Since the official launch of the Commonwealth Fashion Council (CFC) back in February 2018 at Buckingham Palace, there has been a growing desire from the members of the CFC and partners to establish a ‘Think-Tank’ into what Commonwealth Fashion Education looks like – both at under-graduate and post-graduate level.
Over the past three years’ the CFC has had the absolute pleasure of collaborating with Caramel Rock to deliver the Commonwealth Fashion Education Initiative. The initiative enables students from Newham, London to undertake a curated unit on Commonwealth Fashion. The journey encouragers the diverse cohort to create a learning journal and final product inspired by the Commonwealth Values and Aspiration.
The diverse cohort of young students are encouraged by mentors from across the Commonwealth to look back at their rich family heritage; cultures; and family stories. This information is then used along with the Commonwealth Values and Aspiration to inspire the student’s journeys and final pieces.
Many students have family members from Commonwealth counties–this offers a sense of relatability and meaning to outcomes and storytelling. Which results in students celebrating who they are, and their past heritage and family loved ones. It’s a beautiful journey, and demonstrates the power of Commonwealth Fashion Education.
See below; to watch the Commonwealth Fashion Education Initiative 2021, with students presentations and Commonwealth Fashion stories and learning journies.
Commonwealth Fashion Exchange
The Commonwealth came together to showcase a wealth of design and artisan fashion talent across its 56 countries. Selected design talent included major names such as Karen Walker representing New Zealand, Bibi Russell representing Bangladesh and Burberry and Stella McCartney representing the UK. A highly collaborative programme, The Fashion Exchange utilised The Commonwealth’s reach to address some of the pressing issues of our age. The programme was carefully constructed and managed to help address pivotal issues: gender equality, ethical production and supply chains, innovation, economic growth and poverty reduction through the global medium of fashion. One of the main aims was to help unlock the potential of the artisan fashion trades which have direct positive impact on female empowerment and poverty reduction. Commonwealth Fashion Council® and Eco-Age worked with designers and artisans across the Commonwealth, building ‘exchange partnerships’ between designers and makers to collaboratively create a fashion ‘look’. Each exchange partnership was sent a brief with the Green Carpet Challenge® (GCC®) Principles of Sustainable Excellence and asked to produce a look which showcased the creative skill and design ethos of each partner. The pairs were mentored and supported by Commonwealth Fashion Council and Eco-Age from initial introduction to design development and production of their look. The initial looks were celebrated during London Fashion Week at a reception at Buckingham Palace, before moving to a public exhibition at Australia House, and other locations in London where the exhibition was open to the public in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April 2018.
"The Commonwealth is a champion of democracy, freedom, sustainable development, the rule of law, and human rights, especially the rights of women and girls. As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada remains committed to protecting and promoting these values.”
