Established by Stockholm Fashion District in 2018, Encouragement for Action is an award aimed at promoting sustainable development within the fashion industry. For the sixth year in a row, key members of the textile and fashion industry gathered for an award ceremony to recognize sustainability efforts and innovation within Swedish fashion.
The awards were presented in the company of a well-reputed jury in each of the four categories; Closing the Loop, Fashion Innovation, Fashion Retail Talks Sustainability, and Sustainable Identity.
— The fashion industry is currently undergoing significant changes that require adaptation. One of these changes involves new EU regulations that will permanently shape the industry’s future and impose essential transformation. We want to encourage innovation and support strong driving forces in navigating this transformation, while acknowledging that there is still much to learn. We are honored to present the Encouragement for Action Award to companies and initiatives that we believe are key drivers in providing new ways of thinking and effective solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, says Helena Waker, CEO of Stockholm Fashion District.
Philip Warkander, Assistant Professor at the Swedish School of Textiles and chairman of Encouragement for Action’s ethical council, states that society is currently going through a series of radical transformations.
— Long-term effects of the pandemic, global inflation, the war in Ukraine, and developments in AI technology are all examples of events that are reshaping our world, he says. This will have a strong impact on the fashion industry. What role will fashion play in tomorrow’s society? How can the industry work towards a more sustainable and holistic fashion system? This year’s winners have been selected because they, in different ways, provide answers to these questions.
The winner of Closing the Loop is STICA, founded by Sustainable Fashion Academy, where the jury stated that ”knowledge is power, and together we can bring positive change to the industry.”
”This year’s winner unites the industry to create a common voice that is stronger than any individual actor. The company takes collaborative action to achieve the necessary limits for emissions in the textile and fashion industry, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. The winner plays a crucial role in supporting and inspiring producers, brands, and other actors by providing knowledge in a modern and efficient way, guiding them towards a more sustainable direction.”
Brixtol Textiles wins Sustainable Identity, where Scandinavian MIND was represented in the jury, for being ”a company with a brand identity that reflects its solid commitment to sustainability”.
”They repeatedly demonstrate that production can take place under ethical conditions, materials can be environmentally friendly, and fashion standards can remain high with a combination of hard work and confidence in their consumers and abilities. This company’s unwavering attention to detail truly showcases their sustainable identity.”
The winner of this year’s Fashion Retail Talks Sustainability is Grandpa, for having ”a unique perspective on retail, one that differs from most”.
”More than just a store, it is a community at its core. By offering timeless wardrobe pieces with high quality, functionality, and utility, this store provides customers with a sustainable shopping experience. In addition to carefully selected brands, they also offer their own brand which produces on-demand in Sweden. Their sustainability efforts are holistic and extend to the products, customers, and employees alike. In their own words, this community is made up of “Good People, Good Products, and Good Impact.”
Last but not least, Encouragement For Action 2023 in the category Fashion Innovation, also with Scandinavian MIND in the jury, goes to imogo.
Motivation: ”The use and purification of water during dyeing is one of the biggest and most central problems to solve in order to achieve a sustainable textile and fashion industry. The winner of Fashion Innovation offers techniques to efficiently reduce this problem on both large and small scales. Their flexible techniques make it possible to manufacture small volumes, which are more cost-effective and sustainable. Implementing this innovation benefits not only the environment, but also improves profitability and productivity through the significant reduction of waste-water volumes, greatly reduced energy and chemical consumption, increased production speed, and consistent and predictable quality. This company sets a good example for other innovators.”
