We kicked off our 18th-anniversary celebrations at Climate Week NYC with a packed house for our FW24 360 Sustainability Runway and an inspiring panel at the Austrian Cultural Forum featuring Elfie Semotan, Nina Hollein, and our founder, Dr. Bernice Pan. The event was a stark reminder of the urgent, systemic transformation that fashion requires as we move toward the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
As Bernice highlighted, if left unchecked, we are on track to produce 9.5 trillion garments by 2050—a staggering figure that calls for immediate, bold action. Sustainability must be accelerated, driving beyond superficial commitments to become a fundamental, non-negotiable pillar of every fashion decision. Anything less is a failure to confront the climate crisis head-on.
Voluntary efforts are not enough. Just as meaningful reform in the tobacco industry came through legislation, fashion needs stronger regulations. Recent progress with California’s EPR legislation and impending EU laws are steps in the right direction, but time is running out for fashion to move quickly and meaningfully.
Bernice’s observations are echoed by industry leaders. As Maxine Bédat, founder of the New Standard Institute, was quoted during Climate Week: “True leadership would be to join a campaign that says, ‘We need to be regulated.’” (Rachel Cernansky for Vogue Business).
At DEPLOY, we’ve led with 360 Sustainability for nearly two decades. Now, more than ever, we’re committed to accelerating this journey toward a truly sustainable and equitable fashion future.
Let’s keep pushing for change together. Join us at our upcoming season of US, London, and Asia pop-ups and events. Check our event page for details. www.deployworkshop.com/events.