CIFF And The CFDA Unite To Showcase Sustainable Fashion Excellence At NYFW

The Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF) may have started as a regional fashion show, but it quickly emerged as one of Europe’s leading fashion hubs for innovation. Its commitment to sustainability, spotlighting eco-friendly practices like upcycling and zero-waste production, has reshaped the Scandinavian fashion scene. Now, as the global fashion industry confronts its environmental impact, the CIFF is bringing its commitment to sustainability to the US. Partnering with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) once again, the CIFF presents a collaborative showroom at New York Fashion Week to spotlight emerging designers who champion ethical sourcing, responsible production, and innovative design.

Slated to take place from February 10–12, 2025, at the Powered by Plus Plus Showroom in Manhattan, the second edition of the CIFF x CFDA showroom will give a platform to ten Nordic and two American designers, bridging the gap between two fashion markets.

“The CIFF x CFDA collaboration unites American and Danish design philosophies with a shared commitment to sustainable innovation. This event showcases the pioneering steps both regions are taking to shape a more sustainable fashion industry,” said Steven Kolb, CEO, Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Setting brands up for success

A driving force for this partnership is the CIFF’s mission to amplify Scandinavian fashion on the global stage. “Partnering with CFDA in New York is an opportunity to deepen collaboration and expand the reach of Scandinavian design,” said Sofie Dolva, CEO, Copenhagen Intertional Fashion Fair. “It’s about connecting with global markets, sparking creative exchange, and building business relationships that support long-term growth.”

A great example is the “Stepping Stone of the Year” award, developed in collaboration with Elle Danmark, which aims to help Danish brands break into the challenging American market. The 2024 winner, Skall Studio, along with nominees Remain, Forza Collective, MKDT Studio, will showcase their collections at the CIFF x CFDA showroom. This opportunity places them directly in front of influential buyers, press, and industry professionals, providing critical exposure in a lucrative market.

At the same time, the CIFF adopts a balanced and pragmatic approach to fostering sustainability within the fashion industry. According to Dolva, the CIFF’s role should be to enable and amplify positive change rather than impose strict rules. “We should always spotlight those brands making real progress and innovations within the field of sustainable and positive change, but ultimately the biggest change comes from those businesses which are in a position to implement these changes at scale,” she said. “Against this backdrop, we see our role first and foremost as a platform to support businesses to grow and secure their economic position, rather than to police their actions.”

Meanwhile, the way in which the CIFF supports designers changes according to evolving industry needs. For example, in response to the current economic climate, CIFF has shifted from a biannual event to a year-round platform to offer continuous support to brands, partnering with organizations like Pitti Uomo, Milan Fashion Week, and Neudeutsch in Germany. “My view of our role as a large-scale industry organization has always been to do the heavy lifting through the tough times to help nurture the wider ecosystem in the industry and see us all through to greener times downstream,” said Dolva.

However, in order for emerging brands to truly succeed, Dolva emphasizes authenticity and innovation. “In a highly competitive market, it’s only those brands which are able to really be true to their vision and purpose and be bold enough to do something different that are able to make ground,” she said.

Fusing fashion and sports

For the first time ever, the CIFF is partnering with ISPO Munich, a leading international sports trade fair that covers a wide range of sports goods, footwear, and fashion. This partnership highlights the growing intersection of sports and fashion, with Scandinavian brands leading the charge. This collaboration will allow both lifestyle and performance brands to showcase their designs to a broader, more diverse audience while strengthening their ties to the German market.

“In the Scandinavian region in particular, sports and fashion brands have been influencing each other for decades, learning from each other and creating new materials, designs and innovations,” said Tobias Gröber, Executive Director Business Unit Consumer Goods at Messe München and Director ISPO Group. “We want to utilize this potential, support it together, make it visible and drive it forward.”

Save the date for CIFF 64

The impressive post-show attendance report of the CIFF’s 63rd edition on August 9th established the fair as one of Europe’s most important hubs for international trade.

“We saw an increase in international guests, especially from DACH which are important markets for our brands,” said Dolva. The fair brought together over 1,000 brands, with international visitors exceeding 66% of attendees for the first time. The increase in relevant buyers and business connections underscores the fair’s importance in driving commerce and fostering valuable industry relationships.

Building on this success, the 64th edition of CIFF is set to take place from January 28-30, 2025, but this time with a twist. Working closely with Copenhagen Fashion Week, CIFF is shifting its opening day to Tuesday, rather than Friday, in order to create a more cohesive fashion week experience. International guests will arrive Monday, and CPHFW will have show-free hours on Tuesday. “This gives our brands an optimal platform where their collections receive maximum attention, and our guests can make the most of their time in Copenhagen,” said Dolva.