With a focus on sustainability, transparency, and material innovation, CTF 2023 will take form as a two-day event, kicking off with the opening of a curated exhibition showcasing some of the most prominent talents shaping the path forward. The exhibition space will reinforce awareness about textile developments and highlight game-changing material innovations from sustain-tech companies, providing valuable insights and access to the most innovative solutions within the fashion and textile supply chain.

CTF 2023 will further host inspiring keynotes and panel discussions and explore themes such as sustainable forestry, legislation, policies and traceability, the future of fashion and next-generation solutions, and the industry's path forward. Organisations and key speakers taking part this year include Aditya Birla Group, Canopy, Christine Goulay/Sustainabelle Advisory Services, Circ, Closed Loop Partners, Ekman Group, European Forest Institute, Fashion For Good, Global Fashion Agenda, H&M CO:LAB, IKEA of Sweden, McKinsey & Company, OTB, Re:newcell, Södra, Swedish Fashion Council, Techstyler/Forbes and many more, the organiser said in a press release.

Launched during London Fashion Week in 2018, CTF has evolved from an awards show representing some of the most prestigious and best ranked design schools around the world to become a unique platform that enables the entire supply chain of man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCF) to meet, collaborate and create change. Man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCF) are a group of fibres that are conventionally derived from wood and in some cases other sources of cellulose. MMCFs have the potential to be a preferred material if the wood is sourced sustainably and the processing chemicals are handled properly. Examples of such fibres include viscose, lyocell, and modal.

CTF is initiated and hosted by Ekman Group, a global sales and marketing organisation, strategically aligning buyers and sellers of forest products around the world. The event is further organised by the Swedish Fashion Council (SFC) and is an important part of the organisation's goal to guide the fashion industry into the future. CTF 2023 platinum partners include Arauco, Birla Cellulose; gold partners include Södra; silver partners include Altri; bronze partners include Sappi, Textile Genesis, TreeToTextile, Woodspin and supporting partners Textile Exchange and ZDHC.

The event is reserved for fashion industry professionals and stakeholders from the fashion, textile, and forest industries.

“Ekman Group is excited to continue our journey with Challenge the Fabric, and further connect the different stakeholders of the MMCF supply chain. Our symposium has a unique position where the forest, textile, and fashion industries can come together and truly initiate the collaboration that is needed to drive the MMCF sector forward,” said Nina Elmersson, VP, Innovare Ekman Group.

“In order to accelerate change we need to bring people together, Challenge the Fabric is an incredible example of the power of cross-industry collaboration, which will be key to increasing impact in the future of fashion,” said Jennie Rosén, CEO of Swedish Fashion Council.

“Challenge the Fabric has a unique place in today's sustainable fashion and innovation landscape. By bringing together brands (both big and small), supply chain partners, innovators, and experts, we can come together to work toward actionable change,” said Christine Goulay, founder, Sustainabelle Advisory Services & CTF Advisory Board.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)