How the new king supports sustainability and education in fashion

As Britain prepares to welcome King Charles III. to the throne, FashionUnited takes a look back. His Royal Highness (HRH) has advocated for the fashion industry in a number of ways in the past, both in terms of sustainability and through educational initiatives.

His interest in the industry was already evident in the award of honorary degrees. He honored the likes of the late Mary Quant, Boden founder John Peter Boden, and Gymshark founder Ben Francis for their contribution to fashion.

Ahead of his coronation, scheduled for May 6th, we take a look at the new king’s past initiatives and what this could mean for fashion under his rule.

Sustainable development in fashion

Recently, King Charles III. joined British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful and Yoox Net-a-Porter Group CEO Frederico Marchetti for a fashion conversation. At the event, panel members presented initiatives and solutions designed to advance sustainability in fashion. Proposals included initiatives and regenerative agricultural practices, all to be led by the Fashion Task Force, a group of industry leaders formed by Prince Charles.

One of the collective’s main tasks was the establishment of a digital ID system last year, created as an information platform that provides customers with proofs of sustainability for their garments. The plans for the technology were first unveiled during the 2021 G20 summit. It was mentioned that the group would like to work with partner brands to implement the transparency and traceability solution, as well as new circular services such as repair and recycling. Task force members, which also include Burberry, Chloé, Mulberry and Stella McCartney, have already committed to begin rolling out the digital ID system and adopt a protocol for cycle data.

However, Charles’ sustainability efforts have not only become evident in recent years. In 2016, the then Prince of Wales launched The Dumfries House of Wool Declaration, following on from his previously established organization Campaign for Wool. In it, he called on key players in the wool industry to work to protect the environment, uphold sheep welfare practices and pay attention to animal welfare. The declaration, which has almost 800 signatories so far, stipulates that the most important wool-producing countries comply with the strictest animal welfare standards enshrined in the International Woolen Textile Organization (IWTO).

HRH at the International Sustainability Unit board meeting. Image: Lindex

The following year, King Charles was also behind the launch of the Sustainable Cotton Communiqué, created in partnership with Marks & Spencer as part of its International Sustainability Unit. Signatories included Nike, H&M, Asos and Kering, who came together at a meeting in London to explore a commitment to sustainable cotton. Members have also pledged to source 100% of the cotton they use from sustainable sources by 2025. Participating brands turned to Fairtrade cotton, BCI cotton and organic cotton to promote wider adoption as a catalyst.

In 2021, as part of his Sustainable Markets Initiative, he launched the ‘Terra Carta’, which offers companies a blueprint for the transition to a sustainable future by 2030. With John Lewis Partnership as an initial signatory to the charter, the retailer has committed to net-zero carbon production across its operations, including its logistics and supermarket subsidiary Waitrose, by 2035.

Educational initiatives and funding programs

In addition to sustainability, education is another focus of the new king. Much of his effort goes back to The Prince’s Foundation, an educational foundation he established in 1986 to support local communities and traditional crafts. Among the programs created under this organization is The Prince’s Foundation of Traditional Arts, a school that offers ‘Master of Arts’, ‘Master of Philosophy’ and PhD courses to strengthen the arts sector . Another long-standing program is the Future Textiles group, which has been active for several years and is largely supported by the luxury group LVMH.

In 2018 it was announced that ‘Savile Row’ tailor Patrick Grant and Scottish textile manufacturer John Sugden had been named co-chairs of the initiative. The duo are set to provide training in traditional skills to school children across Scotland and adults seeking employment in the industry. It was also announced in the same month that LVMH would sponsor the refurbishment of a disused sawmill on the Dumfries House estate, which is to be converted into a fashion and textile school. The LVMH Textile Training Center was to be used as a space for intensive courses in sewing, cutting and finishing of fabrics.

Image: Yoox Net-a-Porter

One of Future Textile’s most notable initiatives was the Modern Artisan apprenticeship program, launched in 2019 by Yoox’s HRH and Marchetti. As part of the project, students were in Italy and the UK with the design of sustainable collections
for Net-A-Porter, Mr Porter, Yoox and The Outnet, a task which was supported by industry experts from Yoox as well as several overseeing designer brands such as Gabriela Hearst and Nanushka. Ultimately, some of the participants in the project were bought out by big brands or even started their own companies due to the success of their collections.

The Royal Family Foundation has also expanded its efforts abroad and engaged with the Fashion Council Germany and the Swarovski Foundation at ‘Fashion X Craft’ together, a training program for young fashion designers from German universities. The project, which began applying in 2021, aimed to encourage new processes among young talent, such as artisanal techniques aimed at more sustainable production methods. Participants in the program took part in circular economy workshops and had the opportunity to live at Highgrove, the Gloucestershire-based Prince’s Foundation training facility. A large part of the course revolved around the use of materials rarely used in fashion, such as glass and wood.

While it’s still unclear whether King Charles will continue to promote fashion during his time as king, his past has certainly shown that he intends to commit the industry to a more sustainable approach. Whether he’s supporting the British Fashion Council (BFC) by attending a range of events, or funding the work of young students looking to make a positive impact, it’s clear he has fashion and its impact at heart. One can only hope that the fight will continue once he takes his place on the throne.

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