BFC launches designer face masks and Institute of Positive Fashion platform

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jun 8, 2020

The British Fashion Council is launching itself enthusiastically into two key projects that support charitable causes, with one focused on coronavirus safety and the other on reducing plastic pollution.

As face masks become a must-have for most consumers, the BFC announced the launch of its Great British Designer Face Coverings: Reusable, for People and Planet campaign.

The joint campaign with Bags of Ethics will see the manufacture and retail internationally, of sustainable and reusable non-medical face coverings for consumers.

They’ve been designed by six British labels, Halpern, Julien Macdonald, Liam Hodges, Mulberry, Raeburn and Rixo with the aim being (on top of keeping consumers safe) to raise £1 million for charity.

It said that 100% of sale profits will be split between NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal, the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund and Wings of Hope Children’s Charity.

The masks will be made at Bags of Ethics’ 100%-owned partner factories and will “provide a reusable and sustainable option for the environment with no single-use plastic”.

They’ll retail at £15 for three reusable masks with two protective pouches and will be for sale through the BFC’s own website “soon” as well as via Asos, Boots, and chains operated by John Lewis Partnership and J Sainsbury.

Moving on to the fight against plastic pollution, the BFC has also announced the launch of the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) website in recognition of World Ocean Day. 

The IPF has been developed to help the industry “lead in the goal to be more resilient, circular, equal and fair through global collaboration and local action”. 

It collates global resources, information and campaigns “to help businesses increase knowledge and embrace sustainable and people led best practices”.

As part of the commitment to the cause, Parley for the Oceans founder and CEO Cyrill Gutsch is joining the BFC advisory board and the IPF steering committee. And BFC chief executive Caroline Rush is joining the advisory board of Parley for the Oceans.

It all points to “a long-term partnership between these world-leading organisations to encourage positive change within the fashion industry”.

The group is planning pro-active projects for students, education and mentoring, with Parley providing dedicated missions for the BFC and IPF network. Meanwhile that network will help raise awareness for Ocean Conservation and support Parley on a campaign to phase out single-use plastics.