Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) of the United Nations Agency Itc and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, with the support of the Municipality of Milan, organized the awards ceremony of the Cnmi Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan on Sept. 24.

The event featured and awarded personalities and other virtuous realities that have emerged in the Italian and international fashion industry for their commitment to sustainability in its highest sense: vision, innovation, commitment to craftsmanship, inclusivity, circular economy, human rights and environmental justice.

The winners were selected by a prestigious international jury, including Andrew Morlet, ceo of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation; Carlo Capasa, chairman of the Cnmi; Simone Cipriani, head and founder of the Ethical Fashion Initiative; and Roberta Annan, Managing Partner, Impact Fund for African Creatives & Annan Capital Partners.

Gucci won the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Award for Circular Economy, for “its efforts to create quality garments fit for a circular economy and continued commitment to using materials grown in a way which supports the natural environment.”

“In the world of fashion, our vision of a circular economy is one where products are used more, are made to be made again, and are produced from safe and recycled or renewable inputs,” Ellen MacArthur Foundation ceo Andrew Morlet said in a statement. “We’re delighted to see top players in the global fashion industry, winner Gucci and finalists Chloé and Acs Clothing, embrace these circular economy principles in their products and through redesigning entire business models.”

Gucci has implemented a series of processes that allow its garments to be used for longer, to be reused and recycled, with the aim of reducing waste and pollution right from the design phase. Last year, the fashion house won the Cnmi Climate Action Award for its collaboration with a regenerative sheep farm in Uruguay to source wool.

“Building scalable collaborations is a vital part of Gucci’s strategy and the ‘Denim project’ is an example of combining the many strengths of the House’s supply chain partners and leveraging innovative tech to enhance circular economy principles,” Gucci ceo Jean-François Palus said in a statement.

Among the winners, Ahluwalia by Priya Ahluwalia, which received the Bicester Collection Award for Emerging Designers; Donatella Versace, who was honoured with the Humanitarian Award for Equity and Inclusivity; Dolce & Gabbana, which received the Craft & Italian Artisanship Award; and Valentino, which took home the Education of Excellence Award for its nurturing talents initiative.

AWARDS:

The Visionary Award: Edward Enninful - Adut Akech Bior awards Edward Enninful.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation Award For Circular Economy: Gucci, Circular Hub’s Denim Project, Sinead Burke awards Jean François Palus.
The Climate Action Award: Manteco, A wool-focused sustainable economy, Samata Pattinson awards Matteo and Marco Mantelassi.
The Education of Excellence Award: Valentino, Nurturing talents, Elodie awards Pierpaolo Piccioli and the seamstresses.
The Bicester Collection Award For Emerging Designers: Ahluwalia, by Priya Ahluwalia, Chiara Ferragni and Laurent Vinay award Priya Ahluwalia.
The Craft & Italian Artisanship Award: Dolce&Gabbana, Sartorial craftmanship & Grand Tour of Italy, Bianca Balti awards Alfonso Dolce.
The Biodiversity & Water Award: Kering, Regenerative & Climate Fund for Nature, Julienne Moore awards Marie Claire Daveu.
The Human Capital & Social Impact Award: Chloé, Fait Trade luxury, Kulsum Shadab Wahab awards Riccardo Bellini.
The Groundbreaker Award: Candiani, Coreva, Coco Rocha awards Alberto Candiani.
The Humanitarian Award For Equity and Inclusivity: Donatella Versace, Margo Mengoni awards Donatella Versace.

Photo: Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Valentino. Courtesy image of Cnmi