Cheshire Fashion Week 2025 sets global standard with mandatory sustainability rules

Long before sustainability became a checklist item, Cheshire Fashion Week (CFW) made it its primary focus. In 2021, it became the first fashion week in the UK to set mandatory sustainability requirements, including complete supply chain transparency, verified ethical labour, circular design commitments, and a ban on exotic materials. Four years on, its strategy has evolved into a blueprint for how fashion weeks can drive change from the inside out.

While the British Fashion Council (BFC) is set to pilot its sustainable fashion approach throughout 2025, CFW has already spent years putting principles into practice. Sustainability has played a role in Cheshire Fashion Week's efforts to promote the responsible and sustainable fashion industry by empowering emerging designers. This has not only served as a value statement but also as a strategic filter for both designer selection and brand partnerships.

Cheshire Fashion Week's focus on environmental and social standards has become a defining feature of its programming. A strong influence came from the Copenhagen Fashion Week framework, widely regarded as a benchmark for responsible fashion weeks. Claire Namukolo Raven, founder and CEO of CFW, says, "Our focus goes beyond vetting fabric; we are committed to promoting independent designers and brand values throughout every aspect of the business. It is imperative that brands demonstrate sustainability and that their operations are aligned with measurable results."

The participation of international designers from Nigeria, Ireland, and the United States for the October 2025 lineup encourages us. This year represents our most geographically diverse edition to date, reflecting the growing interest in a platform that prioritises positive change in the fashion industry."

Cheshire Fashion Week's sustainable initiatives reflect a broader consumer trend toward values-driven fashion, particularly among Gen Z and younger millennials. CFW 2024 survey results show that ticket sales increased by 89%, and 82% of engagement from those aged between 18 and 45 cited "sustainability accountability" as their primary motivation for trusting the fashion week platform. Since 2023, Cheshire Fashion Week's Instagram and social media following has grown to over 15,000. Its influence has reshaped expectations across the country. That same insight has helped CFW secure key partnerships with platforms such as Porsche in their 2024 launch of the Taycan electric model.

"We've moved beyond tokenism," says Claire Namukolo Raven, the CEO of CFW. The fashion industry is moving towards ethical and sustainable practices, so our partners must adhere to our Operational Sustainability Guidelines." A 2019 petition signed by nearly 15,000 individuals led CFW to ban exotic materials earlier in 2019. What was once considered bold is now recognised as necessary for the shift toward cruelty-free, sustainable fashion.

As the North's biggest fashion week, Cheshire Fashion Week plays a key role in redefining the UK's fashion landscape. While its roots are regional, Cheshire Fashion Week has shifted to a global platform due to its early emphasis on sustainable requirements. London Fashion Week's adoption of similar sustainability criteria in 2025 only underscores CFW's role as a leader.

Claire celebrates this exciting momentum! Designers are not just unfazed by our standards; they thrive on them. The integrity we share genuinely empowers their creativity, resulting in incredible collaborations that benefits everyone involved.

This is reflected in Cheshire Fashion Week's continued growth and success, which is rooted in its ability to adapt to changes in culture, environment, and the industry. International communities that value purpose-driven fashion recognise and celebrate this agility.

Cheshire Fashion Week 2025 will take place at Chester Town Hall and Chester Cathedral from 16-18 October 2025, with the final lineup announced in September. The event recognises ethical practices and sustainability in the fashion industry, attracting brands that prioritise accountability and integrity over mere appearance. The demand for values-driven fashion is seen worldwide, and Cheshire Fashion Week more often sets than reflects the trends of UK fashion weeks.