Madrid is preparing to celebrate fashion with a difference this April, as the city embraces a slower, more circular and environmentally conscious approach through the 2025 edition of the Circular Sustainable Fashion Week (CSFW). The event aims to highlight a textile industry that not only respects the ecological limits of the planet but also prioritizes the well-being of its workers by adhering to circular economy principles.
Scheduled between April 21 and 26, the ninth edition of CSFW Madrid will offer a week filled with forward-thinking conferences and runway shows led by brands deeply committed to sustainable fashion. As a prelude to the main event, a preview was held on April 10 at the New Madrid Campus of Nebrija University on San Francisco de Sales Paseo. The presentation welcomed notable figures such as Alejandro Dorado, Commissioner for the Circular Economy of the Spanish Government; Cristina Aparicio, General Director of Energy Transition and Circular Economy of the Community of Madrid; and Juan Ferrando, Director of the Degree in Fashion Design at Nebrija University.
One of the major highlights of this year’s event will be a keynote lecture delivered by Kate Fletcher on April 23 at the Madrid Fashion Design Center under the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Titled The Fashion and Logic of the Earth, Fletcher’s lecture is expected to be a cornerstone of CSFW Madrid. Recognized globally as a pioneer of the slow fashion movement, Fletcher’s visit to Spain is seen as a milestone by the event’s organizers. Paloma G. López, director of CSFW Madrid, emphasized the significance of her appearance, noting Fletcher’s transformative vision of fashion as outlined in her book Earth Logic, which views clothing as a potential agent of change.
López further emphasized that sustainable fashion involves more than just environmental stewardship. It also demands systemic change—fostering regional economies, generating employment, and encouraging a more thoughtful and sustainable form of consumption. This comprehensive transformation is what CSFW Madrid aims to inspire throughout its series of events.
The international relevance of the event is underscored by the conference Sustainable Fashion Around the World, which will be hosted by Nebrija University on April 22. The session will feature representatives from across five continents, including Australia, France, Argentina, Singapore, and Kenya, demonstrating the global conversation taking place around circular fashion. On the same day, the university will host another discussion focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and fashion, led by Carlota Castro, consultant at the Onverse Group.
Public institutions will also have a voice at the event through a special roundtable discussion featuring Alejandro Dorado and Jesús Valles, Deputy Director General of Coordination and Circular Economy of the Community of Madrid. They will be joined by fashion sector leaders such as Carmen Torres, Secretary General of the Confederation Fashion Spain, and Sergio Álvarez, Director of the Spanish Fashion Academy Foundation. Additional panels will explore certifications and sustainability as well as industry best practices.
Fashion shows remain an integral part of CSFW Madrid. The event will present three major parades: Queen UpCycling on April 21 at 95 Art Gallery, the EcoDesign catwalk on April 24 at the Domenico Scarlatti space, and Gateway 17 on April 26 at the new Nebrija University Campus in Madrid. These showcases will feature over twenty notable national and international brands such as Sylvia Calvo BCN, Vintage Harvest, Konceito R, Infinity Beyond, Elena de Frutos, and Sed Biojoyas. Each brand has been selected for its commitment to sustainable fashion values.
In addition to the runway shows, CSFW Madrid will host the second edition of the PEFC Spain Sustainable Fashion Awards, a collaboration between PEFC Spain and Santander Textile. These awards aim to recognize outstanding efforts in sustainable practices across the fashion industry.
The final runway, Gateway 17, stands out as a unique concept in global fashion. According to Paloma G. López, the event differs from traditional catwalks through its emphasis on collaboration. Instead of showcasing individual collections, participating brands will create shared looks that reflect the power of partnerships. The name Gateway 17 directly references Sustainable Development Goal 17, which emphasizes the importance of global partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
In all, CSFW Madrid 2025 promises to be not only a celebration of style but a rallying cry for a more sustainable and inclusive fashion industry. Through dialogue, innovation, and creative collaboration, the event aims to set a new standard for the future of fashion.
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