What’s This About?As the fashion industry faces increasing pressure to address the climate crisis, many are questioning whether fashion weeks, with their resource-intensive nature and promotion of overproduction, are compatible with sustainability. In today’s debate, we will discuss whether we should stop holding fashion weeks. The panelists will now present their cases on the matter.
Constructive
Pro Finn
We should cancel fashion weeks. Fashion weeks, while historically influential, have become outdated in many ways. The biggest problem with these extravagant shows is their staggering environmental cost. In addition to the energy required to produce and run large-scale events, the travel of attendees, models, and designers results in a high carbon footprint. With the global urgency to combat climate change, we must do all we can to relieve this unnecessary environmental strain. Fashion weeks also perpetuate a system of fast fashion and overproduction. The constant unveiling of new trends encourages a culture of excessive consumption where most clothing ends up in landfills after a season. Canceling these events would reduce the pressure on designers and brands to constantly produce new collections, slowing down the cycle of consumption and waste.
Con Alice
I respectfully disagree. We shouldn’t cancel fashion weeks as they still hold relevance in today’s society. Fashion weeks are integral to the creative and cultural fabric of the fashion industry. They serve as a vital platform for artistic expression and cultural exchange, allowing designers to showcase their latest innovations, push boundaries, and inspire new fashion trends. Furthermore, fashion weeks are a crucial launching pad for up-and-coming talent, offering them a stage to present their work and gain industry recognition. Then, there are invaluable networking opportunities for industry professionals, from designers and models to buyers and journalists. These events foster collaborations and partnerships that drive the industry forward. Should we stop holding them, the fashion industry risks losing a key space where new ideas, trends, and business deals come together.
Rebuttal
Pro Finn
While fashion weeks should support new talent and artistic expression, the reality is entirely different. These events usually benefit major global brands while marginalizing smaller or independent designers who can’t afford to participate. And the pressure to keep up with these events creates a financial burden for many in the industry, deepening inequality. Canceling fashion weeks could level the playing field, encouraging alternative, more inclusive platforms for designers to showcase their work without the extravagant costs of traditional runway shows. On that note, technological advancements offer new, more sustainable ways to showcase fashion. Virtual fashion shows and digital platforms provide an eco-friendly, accessible alternative to physical events. These digital solutions could offer the same benefits in terms of visibility and creativity while minimizing environmental and economic costs, making fashion weeks increasingly obsolete.
Con Alice
There are some things digital platforms cannot provide, such as real-world interaction. Seeing the clothes in motion, feeling the fabric, and experiencing the artistry up close can’t be replicated in the same way online. The physical shows also generate significant economic benefits for the host cities, supporting jobs in various industries. If we abandon fashion weeks entirely, we risk losing a vital part of the creative and economic ecosystem. Rather than canceling fashion weeks, the industry can adapt these events to make them more sustainable. Many fashion councils and brands are already working toward reducing the environmental impact of fashion weeks by minimizing waste, adopting renewable energy sources, and incorporating digital elements. Fashion weeks could become platforms to highlight sustainable practices, encouraging brands to showcase eco-friendly collections and ethical production methods.
Judge’s Comments
Thank you both for your well-articulated arguments. While the most balanced approach may be to reform and reimagine these fashion events, our planet is running out of time and thus may require more drastic measures. What do you, the audience, think? Should we cancel fashion weeks?