Trade bodies across Europe unite to form European Fashion Alliance

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jun 23, 2022

A giant group comprising European fashion councils and other bodies has been created under the European Fashion Alliance (EFA) banner and aims to “empower a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive European fashion ecosystem”.

Following a summit organised by the Fashion Council Germany, big names signed up, including France’s Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana and Global Fashion Agenda, plus groups from Austria, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, the Baltics and more. 

The British Fashion Council isn’t involved, but the UK is represented by The Prince’s Foundation sustainability charity.

The new group said that “with this one-of-a-kind network of European fashion councils, promotion institutions, incubators and clusters the new Alliance aims not only to share, educate and research market knowledge, contacts and best practices but also to advocate at European level with different economic, political and social stakeholders for a prosperous future”.

The EFA added that the individual groups will all contribute to the development of a clear strategy in the next few months to transform the industry and help the planet.

At the summit in Frankfurt, European commissioner for innovations, research, culture, education and youth, Mariya Gabriel, welcomed the  launch, calling it “a brilliant idea” and promising her support.

Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode president, Pascal Morand, added in a release: “The new European Alliance echoes the New European Bauhaus and the major challenge it represents: fashion can and must pave the way. It is at the crossroads of economy and culture, of the noblest handmade know-how and of the most advanced technologies, of aesthetics and functionality, of inclusion and diversity. 

“Creativity is its breathing and sustainability henceforth its unsurpassable horizon. It is even more important to share, carry and materialise these values at the European level and this is why [we have] joined the new European Alliance.”

A summit specifically for the EFA will happen during Gran Canaria Swim Week in October.