On Monday, industry professionals across fashion, government, and business gathered at Goals House UNGA for a reception co-hosted by CFDA and Project Everyone to celebrate the Fashion Avengers arriving in the U.S. After launching in the U.K. earlier this year, the Fashion Avengers convened in the U.S. in time for  the 2021 United Nations General Assembly, kicking off a week-long Sustainable Development Goals activation on New York’s 5th Avenue in partnership with the Fifth Avenue Association.

The Goals House brings together many of the world’s most influential figures behind the drive to achieve the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Monday’s event engaged different ways in which the Global Goals, an ambitious plan to eradicate poverty, fight inequality, and tackle the climate crisis, can be approached, integrated, and explored – as well as the opportunities and partnerships that are unlocked as a result.

Assembled by Project Everyone, Fashion Avengers is a campaign of leading fashion industry forces coming together to make positive change, as framed by the Global Goals. Project Everyone consists of a team of communications and campaign specialists who sit at the heart of a global network of campaigning organizations, private sector partners, brands, governments, UN agencies, public figures, and social influencers. It seeks to put the power of great communication behind the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At the event, James Townsend, Global CEO at Stagwell Media Network, spoke about his experience as a Fashion Avenger and working with clients to promote and advance the SDGs.

CFDA CEO Steven Kolb elaborated on CFDA’s role in supporting and accelerating positive change in the industry and commitment to the Global Goals. “I know I am speaking on behalf of my entire team at the Council of Fashion Designers of America when I say that I am proud to affirm our commitment to the United Nations’ Global Goals, and we work tirelessly with all fashion week stakeholders to help steer them towards a sustainable future,” he said. “I cannot overstate the importance of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a universal framework to our work, to our membership, to our professional and education communities.”

Kolb emphasized the necessity of cross-industry partnerships and collaborations, such as the Fashion Avengers.

This year, the CFDA and the Swarovski Foundation jointly introduced the Re: Generation Innovation Scholar Award, a three-year partnership to advance learning and innovative design thinking within sustainable systems. As the inaugural recipient of the scholarship, Bailey Adams, of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, was introduced to the stage for a Q&A with Townsend about his work and experience with the Re: Generation Award.

Nadja Swarovski, Chair of the Swarovski Foundation spoke to the Re: Generation Innovation Scholar Award, said:  “I am proud to partner with CFDA via the Swarovski Foundation. This Award program reflects our shared vision to identify, empower and accelerate the next generation of fashion talent in the sustainability realm and drive progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Our warmest congratulations go to our inaugural Re: Generation Scholar, Bailey Adams, for his timelessly beautiful designs created using sustainable and biodegradable materials. Bailey is an incredible talent, whose submission focused on helping deliver SDGs No: 5 – Gender Equality; No: 10 – Reduced Inequalities, and No: 12 – Responsible Consumption & Production.”

Nancy DeVore, Senior Director Strategic Relations at Salesforce & the Swarovski Foundation, spoke on Salesforce’s deep commitment to the Goals and its support of the upcoming Global Goals on Fifth, a public installation of 17 pillars along New York’s iconic 5th Avenue between 49th and 58th street. Each pillar represents one of the Global Goals.

Project Everyone Co-founder Gail Gallie said, “World leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly every year. But after a challenging couple of years, it felt more important than ever to give more visibility to the great work done by the United Nations – and amplify it beyond the walls of its Headquarters. We are so grateful to the Fifth Avenue Association for their help in bringing the Global Goals to life.”

The installation will be on display through Sunday, September 26th.

For more information about the Global Goals, head to www.globalgoals.org
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