Last week, while Milan Fashion Week was all about the runway, something way more important was happening behind the scenes. The UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion hosted their Towards Sustainable Fashion: Chemicals, Impact & Solutions event at 10 Corso Como. Timed perfectly with Fashion Week but carrying a very different kind of runway message. Instead of new collections, the spotlight was on the industry’s biggest challenge: how to make fashion sustainable in a way that actually protects people and the planet.
The Key Issues on the Table
1. Chemicals in Fashion: From dyes to finishing treatments, fashion’s chemical footprint often gets overlooked. Yet it’s massive — impacting water systems, workers’ health, and entire communities. The event highlighted the urgent need for safer alternatives, transparency in supply chains, and stronger regulations.
2. Women Driving Change: A unique focus of the gathering was showcasing women leaders across the fashion system. From entrepreneurs to supply-chain advocates, their work underscored how inclusive leadership is shaping smarter, more resilient solutions.
3. Collaboration Across Sectors: If there was one clear message, it’s this: no single brand can solve fashion’s sustainability crisis. Governments, scientists, NGOs, and communities need to be equally involved. Fashion is global and so are its consequences.
Photos below captured at he Ethical Fashion Initiative’s Cotton Road exhibition at 10 Corso Como.
From Policy Talks to Recognition
The discussions in Milan weren’t just theoretical. They connected directly to action, leading into the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards a few days later also in partnership with the UN Alliance. Winners like Regenesi (circular economy), The Schneider Group (climate action), and Saheli Women (social impact) proved that solutions aren’t just theory — they’re happening now. And Giorgio Armani got a tribute that reminded everyone fashion is culture, and culture has power.
Why This Event Matters
- Chemistry is fashion’s hidden frontier — and it finally got the spotlight.
- Diverse leadership works — women are pushing sustainable change faster.
- Partnerships are non-negotiable — from UN agencies to local communities.
- Recognition fuels momentum — awards keep progress visible (and aspirational).
The Bigger Picture
Fashion is often celebrated for its creativity, but events like Towards Sustainable Fashion remind us that creativity has to extend to how the industry tackles its own impact. By anchoring these conversations in a city like Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals, the UN Alliance made it clear: sustainability isn’t optional anymore. It’s central to fashion’s future.
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