Source Fashion, Europe’s leading responsible sourcing show taking place at Olympia London from 14th – 16th July, has released its keynote speakers, covering the future of ethical fashion, transparency, accountability, and upcoming legislative changes.
On Monday 15th July at 12.15pm fashion activist Caryn Franklin MBE will be in conversation with Nick Beighton, ex-CEO ASOS where they will have a unique and frank conversation, where they will talk about the realities of trying to make positive change, and the hurdles that need to be overcome.
Event Director Suzanne Ellingham says, “Nick Beighton is one of the most powerful and successful people in British retail. His insight during his tenure at ASOS is invaluable in helping the fashion community understand how they can impact positive change, and the challenges they will face within their business. I’m excited to bring him together with the brilliant fashion activist Caryn Franklin MBE, giving our community a rare insight into his time at ASOS, his thoughts on the future of fast fashion, and how to retain fashion integrity while enabling sustainable and ethical practices across your brand. What I love about this session is it will be unfiltered, Caryn will ask the difficult questions that we all have, and Nick will answer those honestly and openly, and I think it will be one of the most powerful, and relatable, sessions we will host. The themes they will discuss underpin so many of our other seminars from other leading voices in the industry on the future of fashion.”
Monday’s 11.45am seminar, CMA legislation updates, welcomes Mike Coates from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) who will address the CMA’s open letter to all businesses in the fashion retail sector, highlighting the need to consider obligations under consumer protection law when making environmental claims. The letter draws attention to the CMA’s “Green Claims Code” guidance and emphasises that promoting environmental sustainability remains a priority for the CMA. Coates aims to present what this means for the fashion industry and how to prepare. Hear an update on key legislation and policies, as well as an update into ongoing greenwashing investigations, what internal compliance processes to consider and the importance of accurate and truthful environmental claims.
On Monday at 1.30pm, join Lauretta Roberts for an informative fireside chat with Next plc’s Group Head of Sustainability, CR and Product Legislation, Jo Mourant. Jo will outline tangible ways Next are assessing and combatting some of their biggest sustainability challenges, and address how best to incorporate collaborative ways of working for a more aligned, ethical, sustainable strategy.
The second fireside chat of the day at 2.30pm welcomes Hayley Shore, Design Director at PepsiCo to the stage for ‘A big brand approach to sustainable fashion’. Shore will be discussing their commitment to reducing the environmental impact across its products and merchandise, collaborating with sustainable designers, what fashion can learn from big brands, and vice versa.
Sunday’s keynote is fashion futurist Geraldine Wharry – she unpacks the future of the fashion industry’s infrastructure and challenges what the future may look like by exploring key macro trends and their impact for fashion brands and retailers.
