In January 2020, the Swiss lingerie brand, Calida, and the avant-garde luxury label, Viktor&Rolf, presented their joint Capsule Collection, “we want a better world” at NEONYT. Colorful, contemporary, insane details, and above all, 100 percent compostable.
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Brands are canceling their orders. Partially produced goods are not accepted. Factories have to close, workers are laid off. The effects of Corona on the textile industry are enormous. We discuss the current situation in Indonesia and Bangladesh with Marina Chahboune, whose agency “Closed Loop Fashion Consulting” is a sustainability manager in the textile production sector and advises large companies from Indonesia.
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Originally, we had invited Salewa marketing director, Thomas Aichner, to a case study at the 4th edition with four other outdoor experts. To mark the occasion, presenter Susanne Barta is now talking to the former professional snowboarder and tourism expert about corporate responsibility, learnings from the Corona crisis, looking to the future and the end of the fast pace of life.
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Human trafficking is a major issue worldwide. And a very big issue in the textile industry. Unfortunately also in sustainable and “fair” textile production. Fiori Zafeiropoulou can easily be described as one of THE experts in this field. Her commitment does not stop at research and observation, Fiori is also the founder of SOFFA, a social fashion factory in Athens.
“The second biggest industry with labour trafficking is fashion.
72 percent are women and girls.
One out of four is a child.
Average age of children in slavery is 12 years old.”
Together with her team, she works with victims of human trafficking, among others, training them and preparing them for an independent future.
“Corona has two sides: The virus has led to the slow down of consumption. But the brands stopped the production without paying the factories. So the workers are not paid.”
The scientist and activist is globally networked and at the same time locally active. Fiori is a bundle of energy because in addition to all this she has also built up Fashion Revolution Greece and is the chairperson.
“For us as the global consumers the situation is a very good opportunity to reflect on our overconsuming habits.”
In an interview with Susanne Barta, human trafficking expert Fiori Zafeiropoulou talks about “modern slavery” and how Corona is causing great difficulties for production companies and workers. Does she believe that the current crisis will have a positive impact on the textile industry and consumers? “A lot has happened in recent years,” says the expert. And she believes that consumer awareness will continue to grow.
The renowned climate researcher Georg Kaser has given up optimism and pessimism. He can only talk about chances and opportunities. And what are they? “We can learn a lot from what is happening right now. This is about the global common good.”
Georg Kaser spends his home office time in Karthaus in the Schnals Valley in South Tyrol. Every day he exchanges ideas with his colleagues who are scattered all over the world.
“Climate change is far greater and more problematic than Corona will ever be.”
Even though the topic of climate change has disappeared somewhat from the media, intensive work is being done behind the scenes to bring back into the public’s conscious as quickly as possible what the state of our world is and what we can expect if no countermeasures are taken.
“The Corona crisis attacked us from behind and suddenly we were there. For most people, the climate crisis is still ahead of them, even though climate change has already begun.”
Because the experts agree: the challenges of the coming years will be much greater, Corona is at most a foretaste. “We can learn from this time,” says Georg Kaser, “I see opportunities that are currently available, but I also see the complexity. It is about nothing less than the global common good.”
Susanne Barta, who moderates the discussion with Georg Kaser is in constant contact with the expert. His humor and his untiring commitment to a better world are what, in her eyes, particularly distinguishes him, in addition to all his scientific merits.
We look forward to welcoming Georg Kaser live on the podium at one of the next editions of the GREENSTYLE conference.
