PORTLAND, OR/ March 1, 2023 - After three years of virtual events due to the pandemic, the Sustainable Fashion Forum will return to Portland April 21–22, 2023. This year’s event will gather hundreds of like-minded sustainability advocates from all industry levels for a unique opportunity to gain new insights that go beyond industry silos. As the impacts of climate change become more evident and sustainability becomes a pressing concern for both companies and individuals alike, fashion brands are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact and address their role in the global climate crisis. 

This year's conference will explore “The Nuanced Layers” of sustainability in fashion, recognizing the complex and multifaceted nature of the issue. By embracing this complexity and working towards solutions that consider all factors contributing to sustainability, the industry can continue to make meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future for all. 

"I'm incredibly excited to bring the Sustainable Fashion Forum back in-person after three years of virtual events. It’s  truly a one-of-a-kind experience that brings together a global community of stakeholders, bridging the gap between traditional industry silos and fostering dynamic conversations and exchange of ideas. By embracing the complex and nuanced, interconnected aspects of sustainability in fashion and encouraging grey-area thinking, we create opportunities for collaboration that often lead to innovative and holistic solutions to fashion's most pressing problems,” said Sustainable Fashion Forum founder Brittany Sierra.

Featured speakers include Maxine Bédat, Executive Director of New Standard Institute, Raz Godelnik, Assistant Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design, Debi Rodenmayer, ESG Merchandising Manager of Neiman Marcus, Kara Solomonides Brody, Senior Sustainability Manager of Adidas, Michelle Cliffe, Senior Corporate Campaigner of Canopy, Kohl Crecelius, co-founder of Known Supply, and more to be announced soon. 

This year’s event will explore the complex environmental, social, and economic challenges at the intersection of fashion, business, and sustainability through inspired conversation during nine different discussions.

• Circularity 360: Business Models, Material Innovation, Consumer Behavior and Technology

• Bridging Divides: Navigating the Intricacies of Implementing Sustainable Across Fashion’s Global Supply Chain

• Standardizing Sustainability: Navigating the Landscape of Consumer-Facing Impact Attributes Presented by Neiman Marcus

• The Psychology of Fast Fashion: What Sustainable Fashion Brands are Getting Wrong about Building Compelling Brand Identity 

• Shifting Narrative: How Online Communities are Changing the Rules of Sustainable Fashion 

• From Promise to Practice: Leadership in the Era of Accountability 

• The Business of Sustainability: A Profit-Driven Approach

• Navigating The Changing Landscape of Fashion Legislation 

• Designing for Sustainability: Balancing Creativity and Responsibility Presented by Athletic & Outdoor Professionals 

The conference will provide valuable insights into the nuances of sustainable fashion by addressing key challenges such as material trade-offs, cultural and regional barriers in global supply chains, aligning consumer actions on sustainability, overcoming the complexities of local vs. global production, and more.

A pre-conference networking event will take place on Friday, April 21 from 6-8 p.m. followed by a full day of event programming on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The 2023 Conference will wrap with a rooftop networking happy hour from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for conference guests and featured speakers. 

This year’s event will gather industry leaders and sustainable fashion advocates from around the globe for timely conversations and strategic takeaways. Registration for the Sustainable Fashion Forum is now open and tickets are going fast. Ticket options include virtual and in-person attendance. 

// NEW // The Sustainable Apparel Coalition will be part of this year’s official Sustainable Fashion Forum event. Learn more about the official partnership.

ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE FASHION FORUM 

About The Sustainable Fashion Forum:
The Sustainable Fashion Forum is a modern media company and global community of conscious fashion enthusiasts and sustainability advocates from all levels of the industry. We bring together a diverse community of stakeholders, bridging the gap between traditional industry silos and fostering dynamic conversations and exchange of ideas. By embracing the complex and nuanced aspects of sustainability in fashion and encouraging grey-area thinking, we create opportunities for collaboration that often lead to innovative and holistic solutions to fashion's most pressing problems.

About the Conference:

The SFF Conference is a highly curated, one-of-a-kind experience dedicated to igniting discussion at the intersection of fashion, sustainability, ethics, and business to champion new ways of thinking, drive action, and inspire change. Each year the conference brings together like-minded industry leaders, scientists, educators, activists, c-suite executives, and leading brands to ask hard questions, share ideas and find practical, action-based solutions that look to the future of fashion and sustainability.

Press Contact: 

Sydney Mintle
Gossip & Glamour 

Sydney@Gossip-Glamour.com