COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Filippa K, Ivana Helsinki and Designers Remix are among the eleven Nordic fashion brands that are ready to demonstrate that sustainable fashion can be just as attractive as its counterpart. Their designs will be showcased at a fashion show kicking off at next month's sustainable fashion event Copenhagen Fashion Summit before a jury of among others Nina Ricci's artistic director Peter Copping and H&M's creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140327/677782 )

To prove that sustainable fashion can be equally as desirable as its conventional counterpart, Danish Fashion Institute has, in collaboration with H&M and the textiles network organization C.L.A.S.S., challenged a group of Nordic designers to design two outfits each from sustainable materials. The results will be unveiled at a spectacular fashion show taking place at next month's international sustainable fashion event Copenhagen Fashion Summit 2014.

The participating designers - Filippa K (SE), Designers Remix (DK), Marimekko (FI), David Andersen (DK), JÖR by Guðmundur Jörundsson (IS), Gudrun & Gudrun (FO), Ivana Helsinki (FI), Leila Hafzi (NO) and Barbara I Gongini (DK) - have used innovative and sustainable fabrics including organic, recycled and renewable ones provided by H&M, C.L.A.S.S., Lenzing, Monocel and Hemp Fortex among others.

Charlotte Eskildsen, creative director of Designers Remix, comments on the design process:

"Engaging in this project has been more than just a fun, creative challenge; it has been an eye-opener. I've been introduced to a multitude of innovative materials, many of which I didn't know existed, and I'm very excited about revealing my sustainable designs on the runway at Copenhagen Fashion Summit." 

A jury will award the most outstanding achievements of selected participants. In the jury are:

• Peter Copping, artistic director of Nina Ricci
• Kai Margrander, editor-in-chief of Harpers Bazaar Germany
• Julie Gilhart, fashion consultant and former fashion director of Barneys New York
• Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor of H&M
• Catarina Midby, head of sustainable fashion of H&M
• Giusy Bettoni, founder and CEO of C.L.A.S.S

Peter Copping, artistic director of Nina Ricci and member of the jury, says:

"I am very excited to be part of the jury of this year's Design Challenge. Being quite familiar with the Nordic designers already, I am beyond curious to see how they have chosen to work with the innovative materials, and to see them prove that fashion can be desirable and sustainable at once. It is a very important signal to send to both industry and consumers."

Furthermore, Danish Fashion Institute has teamed up with ISKO™, the world's largest and most innovative producer of denim fabric, and challenged five Nordic brands - Wackerhaus (DK), Ivana Helsinki (FI), JÔR by Guómundur Jörundsson (IS), Barbara I Gongini (DK) and A Question Of  (DK) - to each create an outfit from ISKO™ innovative denim concepts. These will likewise be showcased at the sustainable runway show during Copenhagen Fashion Summit.

INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS

The biennial Copenhagen Fashion Summit is the world's largest and most important event on sustainability in fashion, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. This is where leading voices in the world of fashion, business and politics meet to discuss the fashion industry's social and environmental responsibilities and solutions.

Web: copenhagenfashionsummit.com
Facebook: facebook.com/copenhagenfashionsummit
Twitter: @cphfashsummit

Instagram: copenhagenfashionsummit

Official hashtag: #cfs14

Partner information: H&M: Hm.com, C.L.A.S.S.: Classecohub.org, ISKO™: Isko.com.tr

SOURCE Danish Fashion Institute