A recap of the COSH! Fashion Meet-Up at State of Fashion Biennale in Arnhem

The fashion industry, notorious for its significant environmental impact, urgently needs a sustainable transformation. In the Netherlands, the textile sector is a major contributor to ecological degradation, driven by the rise of fast fashion. Together with COSH!, Arnhem is proactively addressing this issue by setting ambitious goals to become a leading circular fashion city.

The Ambition

The fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment. In the Netherlands, the textile sector causes about 10 percent of the negative environmental impact, mainly due to the rise of fast fashion. These quickly produced and cheap garments, often of low quality, are discarded after a short period of time, leading to huge amounts of waste and high consumption of water and energy. In addition, many garments are made under poor working conditions.

Arnhem has set an ambitious dot on the horizon: to be 50 percent circular by 2030 and 100 percent circular by 2050. This means that the entire life cycle of a garment – from design and production to sale and reuse or recycling – must be circular. The impact of textiles in Arnhem is significant; comparable to the energy consumption of about 12,000 households. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more attention to circularity in the fashion industry, and especially in Arnhem there are many opportunities to excel in this.

COSH!‘s First Meet-Up in Arnhem

On Tuesday evening, May 28, COSH! organized its very first meet-up for fashion industry experts and entrepreneurs in Arnhem. This event celebrated the collaboration between COSH! and City Arnhem, with the goal of creating a more circular fashion industry together with local entrepreneurs, designers and retailers.

The Perfect Setting: State of Fashion Biënna­le

The evening was hosted at the State of Fashion Biënna­le in Arnhem by founder Iris Ruisch. Surrounded by the art of State of Fashion 2024, it was the ideal location to introduce Arnhem entrepreneurs, designers, retailers and impactmakers to COSH! and its collaboration with the city – an important step towards a more circular future, in collaboration with the Municipality of Arnhem, Fashion Partners 025 and Platform Binnenstad Arnhem.

Encouraging Sustainable Thinking and Action

The event aimed to challenge Arnhem entrepreneurs and designers to step out of their bubble and embrace more sustainable practices. The central question was: How can we collectively make the Arnhem fashion industry more sustainable and encourage everyone to think more sustainably?

This approach is the core of COSH!- encouraging and inspiring people to create and connect through fashion in ethical ways. It was special to see Arnhem, already home to several COSH!-based members , work with us to develop a more sustainable shopping map for the city. This collaboration streamlined the connection between entrepreneurs and our platform, resulting in more than 20 new members joining our initiative.

Inspiring Speakers and Conversations

Several partners addressed the fashion audience during the evening, including Iris Ruisch of State of Fashion, Evert of Mode Partners 025 and Nermina Kundić, Alderman for Education and Youth Policy, Sustainable Mobility and Economy in Arnhem. 

They emphasized the importance of close cooperation, especially with a platform like COSH!, for the transition to a circular city.

Arnhem: A Hidden Fashion Pearl 

Arnhem, located in Gelderland, is gaining recognition as an emerging style centre, thanks to the renowned ArtEZ fashion institute. The city boasts a vibrant community of unique boutiques and sustainable initiatives.

The Modekwartier, Arnhem’s fashion quarter, is a highlight. It features Begane Grond, a sustainable department store and innovation hub offering products from local designers, workshops, and sustainable styling advice. Notable designers include Marlies Denissen, who creates silver jewellery from second-hand ceramics, CLAU‑D with upcycled slow fashion and Studio Elsien Gringhuis with minimalist pieces. For something other than more sustainable clothing and accessories, BOTMA & vanBENNEKOM is the right address! With handmade and vegan cosmetics that are a delight to senses and skin. 

In the city centre, Arnhem continues to impress. Shops like Eigen Stijl x King Louie showcase a unique collaboration between Eigen Stijl and the iconic vintage brand King Louie. TrixenRees offers high-quality fabrics and clothing where the fabric forms the base for the garment. Hul le Kes stands out with its chic, high-quality collections made from 95% antique European fabrics, epitomising elegance and craftsmanship.

Arnhem’s blend of innovative design, sustainability, and local craftsmanship makes it a must-visit destination for fashion enthusiasts.

LOOKING FORWARD: COSH! x ARNHEM LAUNCH 

Arnhem is dedicated to making circular choices accessible and understandable for both entrepreneurs and consumers. By fostering collaboration and driving innovation, Arnhem aims to establish itself as a leading circular fashion city. 

Join us on October 12^th for the official launch of the COSH! x City Arnhem sustainable shopping route, together with various more sustainable entrepreneurs , fun brands, impactmakers and journalists. Celebrate with us and claim your free ticket here! We look forward to seeing you there.