State of Fashion is a large-scale international fashion event that that is entirely devoted to sustainable fashion. The first edition of this four-yearly event with the theme Searching for the new luxury takes place from 1 June until 22 July 2018 in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, generating enormous amounts of CO2 and textile waste. The fashion event State of Fashion is devoted to a more sustainable future. As an international and interdisciplinary platform for ideas, experiments, research and collaboration, the event aims to unite designers, companies and education programmes in fashion and textile for a more honest and sustainable future.

With the theme Searching for the new luxury, the new definitions of luxury are explored as a reply to the urgent ecological and social demands of today: less waste and pollution, more equality, wellbeing and inclusivity. New techniques, such as 3D printing, and new materials create new definitions of the word luxury.

The event includes an exhibition in the Melkfabriek in Arnhem, which is opened from 1 June until 22 July. The exhibition includes works from names like Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Iris van Herpen, Orange Fiber, Viktor & Rolf, G-Star RAW and many others, who use sustainable and/or natural materials in their projects. In the exhibition, themes such as fashion design for a better world, interdisciplinary approaches, new business models, and new imaginations are explored, all with the focus on a more ethical and sustainable future.

In addition to an exhibition, State of Fashion hosts several events. Each Friday, a “Whataboutery” is held, in which a certain topic is discussed by innovative designers. Topics include conscious fashion consumption, circularity, and ethics. For the full programme, click here.

Photos: Eva Broekema / Barrie Hullegie