In the midst of New York Fashion Week, sustainability took center stage in Times Square with the Global Sustainable Fashion & Culture Exchange. A landmark event merging fashion, technology, and culture to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event brought together designers, brands, policymakers, and innovators to spotlight an issue of importance: sustainability in fashion. Created by Martu E. Freeman-Parker, Founder and CEO of Fashion Alliance Network Inc., the Exchange ignited conversation around fashion, sustainability, social responsibility and cultural responsibility. Martu E. Freeman-Parker is a fashionable force on a mission to make fashion more sustainable. Here’s what she has to say about the future of fashion.
How did your journey into sustainable fashion begin, and what was the initial spark that led to the Sustainable Fashion Exchange?
I have worked in the fashion industry for more than 25 years, and over time I became increasingly aware of how much waste the industry creates and how deeply fashion can affect our environment, communities, water systems, and climate.What affected me most was realizing that many consumers simply do not have access to clear information about the impact of the clothes they purchase. That realization became a major motivation for my work.I believe that when people are given the right information, they can make better choices. And when consumers change their behavior, brands and retailers begin to respond.That philosophy is at the heart of Fashion Alliance Network and the Global Sustainable Fashion & Culture Exchange: education first, followed by action. Our work strongly connects with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action, while also creating a platform for the public to understand how everyday fashion decisions can contribute to a more sustainable future.
What challenges have you faced in promoting sustainability within the fashion industry, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of public awareness about fashion’s environmental and social impact.Many people love fashion, but they may not realize what happens before a garment reaches the store or what happens after they throw it away.I have learned that people respond much better when sustainability is presented as an opportunity rather than a lecture. Once people understand the information, it is encouraging to see them make small changes, share what they have learned, and start asking more questions about the brands they support.
For FAN, the challenge became: How do we bring this conversation to more people?
Our answer has been to take sustainability outside of traditional industry spaces and bring it directly to the public through fashion shows, educational panels, cultural programming, student engagement, partnerships, and events in highly visible locations such as Times Square.My board has also been instrumental in helping FAN think strategically about where we hold our events and how we build partnerships.
In your eyes, what does the future of truly sustainable fashion look like?
I believe the next five years will be extremely important.My hope is that sustainability becomes a normal part of how fashion is taught, produced, purchased, and discussed—not a separate conversation.I want to see schools incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals into fashion and design education. I want businesses and government institutions considering sustainability when making purchasing and procurement decisions. I want designers thinking about materials, waste, labor, longevity, and circularity from the beginning of the design process.When education, government, industry, media, and consumers begin moving in the same direction, sustainability becomes part of the system rather than just a trend.
What sets the Sustainable Fashion Exchange apart from other initiatives in this space?
The Global Sustainable Fashion & Culture Exchange is intentionally designed to bring people together who do not always sit at the same table.We bring together students, educators, designers, brands, sustainability organizations, innovators, cultural leaders, policymakers, consumers, and the general public.We also connect sustainability to culture because sustainable fashion is not only about new technology. Many cultures have practiced repairing, reusing, preserving craftsmanship, producing locally, and valuing garments for generations.By combining fashion, culture, education, innovation, and public engagement, we can make the sustainability conversation more accessible.
What do you hope attendees take away from this event?
I want people to leave understanding that their choices matter. And they want to share the information they received.We can make better decisions about the brands we support, the clothes we purchase, how long we keep them, and what happens to those garments when we no longer want them.Consumers should not have to wait for brands to educate them. We can educate ourselves, ask questions, read labels, research companies, and support businesses whose practices align with our values.Even small changes multiplied across thousands or millions of consumers can create meaningful pressure for change. My goal is for attendees to leave the Exchange asking themselves:“What can I do differently starting today?”
Do you have a bit of fashion advice to share with us?
Buy fewer pieces, but buy better pieces.Look for quality and versatility. Explore vintage and thrift stores. Consider resale, rental, clothing swaps, repair, upcycling, and other circular fashion options before automatically buying something new. And whenever possible, support local and independent designers. Supporting smaller designers can also support creativity, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and local economies.Sustainable fashion does not mean giving up style. It means becoming more thoughtful about how we create our personal style.
Do you have a favorite piece in your wardrobe that is a go-to for you?
Yes. I purchased a beautiful embroidered trench coat in Morocco that I absolutely love. I can wear it over a dress, style it with pants, or even wear it as a dress itself. The embroidery on the back makes it feel like a piece of art. I will probably never get rid of it.For me, that is also part of sustainable fashion—owning pieces that have meaning, craftsmanship, versatility, and longevity. When you truly value something, you want to keep it.
What is one piece of advice you would share with an everyday consumer who wants to make fashion more sustainable?
Be curious. Research the brands you already love and ask what they are actually doing to become more sustainable. Look at the materials used in your clothing. Learn about recycled fibers, natural fibers, deadstock materials, and other responsible alternatives. Read garment labels. Consider how and where something was made. Support local designers, independent businesses, resale platforms, thrift stores, repair services, and circular fashion initiatives.And remember you do not have to completely change your wardrobe overnight.Sustainability is about making better decisions, one choice at a time.
Any lasting words for us?
For me, sustainable fashion is ultimately about education, responsibility, access, and collaboration. No single designer, brand, government, organization, or consumer can transform the fashion industry alone.That is why Fashion Alliance Network believes so strongly in bringing different sectors together. Now we have an opportunity to use that influence to help create a more responsible, equitable, and sustainable future.
