The CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022

Celebrating creatives contributions to design a fashion industry that’s better for people and the environment.

The Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI) Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022 took place yesterday evening at the iconic Teatro alla Scala in Milan.  

The global event highlights creatives' outstanding contributions and efforts to design a fashion industry that is better for people and the environment. Twelve award categories honoured both the handprint of fashion (human capital), as well as the footprint (natural capital and environment) of luxury fashion. 

For this year's Awards, the Foundation Partnered with CNMI to bring circular design for fashion to the very top of the Italian fashion industry’s creative agenda. The curation of the Foundation’s dedicated Award for Circular Economy to celebrate leading examples of circular design, and the appointment of Dame Ellen MacArthur as chair of the jury - brought a circular economy lens to all award categories. 

With CNMI’s network and their work aiming at the highest industrial, environmental, and social sustainability standards, we have forged a Partnership through which our vision of a circular economy for the fashion industry can become mainstream.

The Awards Evening 

Welcoming guests from across the world, the evening started with a cocktail reception in Piazza della Scala, followed by a photos on the Green Carpet. During this time we caught up with some of the Award nominees and fellow guests before heading inside to get seated for the ceremony.

Before getting into the Award giving, Dame Ellen MacArthur delivered a speech alongside CNMI’s Chairman Carlo Capasa and Simone Cipriani, Founder UN EFI & Chairman UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion. Dame Ellen’s opening address spoke to creatives from across the fashion industry and congratulated them on their efforts to make the fashion industry a force for good.

“

I am thrilled to be here at The Sustainable Fashion Awards and would like to begin by thanking Camera della Moda for inviting me to contribute on behalf of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and for appointing me as chair of the jury for these awards.

This global event highlights creatives' outstanding contributions and formidable efforts to design a fashion industry that is better for people and the environment. It is no easy task, the fashion industry is on a journey and whilst there is a long way to go, the steps that are being taken demonstrate important momentum, and should be celebrated and showcased so that others are inspired to take action. 

Such action is crucial to address the global challenges we all face today, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution.

- Dame Ellen MacArthur, Founder and Chair of Trustees - Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Later on in the evening, the Foundation’s CEO Andrew Morlet presented the winner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Award for Circular Economy alongside German fashion model, actress and humanitarian Toni Garrn. 

The Circular Economy Award was curated to celebrate outstanding examples of progress towards a circular economy that is regenerative by design, those redefining the future of fashion by implementing systems change to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.

Together they presented Timberland with the accolade and shared how their innovation is turning circular design for fashion into true action.

“

I am delighted to be on stage to present the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Award for Circular Economy for the first time. This prize celebrates those redefining the future of fashion by implementing systems change to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.

Timberland is a business that has made important strides towards integrating circular economy principles, not only considering product design – balancing both durability and recyclability – but also redesigning their global business model around take-back and resale to ensure their products are circulated and used more.

Alongside these efforts to eliminate waste and circulate products, Timberland has also actively sought to regenerate nature, by investing in regenerative agriculture across their supply chain, advancing reforestation, and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

This is circular design for fashion in action.

- Andrew Morlet, CEO - Ellen MacArthur Foundation

The Awards

This award recognises the outstanding work of those fashion brands, suppliers, platforms and small-medium enterprises that are demonstrating principles of the circular economy. These include – eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. Special consideration was given to organisations that combine circular economy principles and systems thinking at the core of their business.

Shortlisted: Timberland, Vestiaire Collective & Rifò

Winner - Timberland

The Award celebrates the emerging talents of individuals and small brands who, despite their smaller scale, are striving to create significant positive impact in the global fashion community, delivering a message that combines design, innovation, and responsibility.

Shortlisted: Nkwo Onwuka, Themoirè & Torlowei

Winner - Nkwo Onwuka

This Award celebrates the companies and organiszations that not only recognisze the paramount importance of biodiversity for the benefit of humankind but are actively taking steps to pursue positive outcomes for nature and leave a better environment to future generations. 

Shortlisted: Ermenegildo Zegna Group & Bally

Winner - Ermenegildo Zegna Group

This Award is dedicated to fashion brands, suppliers, organisations and stakeholders that work to address greenhouse gas emissions, find innovative solutions for the sector and drive solutions-focused climate change strategies. Special consideration was given to those projects addressing the most urgent issues impacting climate change: intensive farming, deforestation, and industrial production.

Shortlisted - La Soledad x Gucci, Radici Group, Sea Forest

Winner - La Soledad x Gucci

This Award honours attention to fabrics and techniques from the past, as well as valuing resilience when approaching the future. It intends to recognise dedicated efforts in Italy which encourage research and development around local design, materials, and production processes, often certified by traceability or innovation patents. Special consideration has been made to Made in Italy best practices and heritage, not only limited to the Fashion industry but to the Italian way of life and traditions.

Shortlisted - Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Sergio Rossi

Winner - Bottega Veneta

This Award recognises those who have placed the defence of human rights at the centre of their individual or corporate equality strategy. In fashion supply chains, these efforts lead to the protection of workers' rights and the maintenance of adequate standards in terms of working hours, fair remuneration of work, health and safety – both at individual workers’ and communities’ levels. 

A special recognition is attributed to those who continuously challenge the status quo, drive actions that improve human rights, and support open discussions.

Shortlisted - Dr. Rubana Huq, Cooperativa Alice, Made for a Woman (M4W)

Winner - Dr. Rubana Hug

The Oceans Award recognizes the importance of the health of the oceans and marine ecosystems. It seeks to highlight the industry’s efforts and accountability in protecting and improving marine ecosystems and resources, reducing their exploitation and raising awareness of their paramount relevance so that future generations can thrive.

Special recognition was given to projects tackling plastics pollution, one of the most pressing threats to ocean health. 

Shortlisted - Prada, Sea2See, Panerai

Winner - Prada

This Award is designed to reward those individuals who have carried out social or charity projects, as well as companies that have created their own foundation for philanthropic purposes as an effort to improve human welfare. The Award highlights  the importance of clear and transparent communication: effectively disseminating its purpose, enabling positive replication,  and creating advocacy for the philanthropic causes it seeks to promote.

Shortlisted - The OTB Foundation, The Apparel Made-ups & Home furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMH SSC), Gucci X Chime for Change

Winner: The OTB Foundation

This Award wants to recognise significant positive actions directed to change, solve or address social injustice and challenges, as well as those focusing on human development and strengthening of social capital. It highlights the value of those businesses or organisations that, through strategic and operational efforts, are creating direct positive impact to society, in alignment with United Nations’ Social Development Goals.

Shortlisted - Ara Lumiere, Nannacay, Russo di Casandrino 

Winner: Ara Lumiere

The Woolmark Award is dedicated to brands, suppliers and organisations actively working to make the wool textile sector more responsible and resilient to current sustainability challenges. The Woolmark Company has always been devoted to the sector’s sustainable development, working to produce high quality material, while making sure both animal welfare and land health are preserved. 

Shortlisted - Sease, Reda, The Schneider Group 

Winner: Sease

The Groundbreaker Award intends to recognise the work of start-ups, fashion brands and suppliers on the creation of innovative solutions that address critical pain points within the fashion industry, such as intensive farming practices, the use of toxic chemicals across the supply chain and the reliance on fossil-based as well as natural material that contribute to land degradation. Special focus has been given to innovations focusing on natural or bio-ba- sed solutions to replace conventional technologies that degrade land and deplete natural resources.

Shortlisted - Bananatex, Demetra and Gucci Off The Grid by Gucci, Grounded Indigio by Albini_Next and Stony Creek Colours

Winner: Grounded Indigio by Albini_Next and Stony Creek Colours

This Award seeks to recognise the work of a pioneering entity that has taken unprecedented steps to advance sustainability in the fashion industry - challenging a business-as-usual attitude and adopting sustainability ahead of the majority of the industry.

Special recognition was given to a key actor that thrived in the market, leaving their mark on the fashion industry and its culture, without compromising on their foundational approach. In doing so, they have paved a path for others to be inspired by and build on. 

Winner: Eileen Fisher

This Award appreciates those who approached the broader spectrum of sustainability, recognising how all of the dimensions are interconnected, bypassing any compartmentalisation and enhancing positive side effects. The Award intends to highlight the value of an holistic approach, intended to be delivered to that protagonist of the global fashion industry who has displayed, over the years, full understanding of its many nuances, from environmental commitment to social dedication, from economical responsibility to ethical stance.    

Winner: Armani

This Award seeks to award positive actions taken by protagonists of the fashion industry to remove prejudices and stereotypes and shorten cultural gaps, providing equal access and opportunities for all.

Applicants displayed a variety of beneficial activities related to this Award. However, the jury could not identify any submission which was able to, directly showcase having taken into account both equity and inclusivity as a key consideration in their activities within the fashion industry. It was therefore decided to not award this Prize in this year’s ceremony. This should be interpreted as a reflective call to action for the industry at large, to establish formal strategies, set policies and prescribed affirmative actions within its commitment toward the more equal and inclusive future we utmost support.