Professor Friederike von Wedel-Parlow, a Berlin native, is more than just a co-creator of the upcoming Berlin Fashion Summit. She is a designer, professor, and the founder and director of her own initiative called Beneficial Design Institute (BDI). Friederike teaches about sustainable design methods for AMD Berlin’s master’s program, “Sustainability in Fashion & Creative Industries” She also started BDI to teach quality, beauty and innovation through design research, curation and consultancy. BDI has a vast network of institutions, partners and companies.

Friederike first recalls learning about sustainability during the German “Atomkraft Nein Danke!” (“Nuclear power, no thank you!”) movement of the 1980s. Her turning point towards living a more sustainable life came when she was offering her collection to buyers in a showroom in Paris. Friederike realized she was experiencing mass consumption patterns first-hand, as other designers were offering their work to the same buyers whose stores were already packed with items being sold to people with fully-filled wardrobes.

Friederike is inspired by the 202030 team, network and the common spirit to make change together. According to the designer, “there is such a great atmosphere and professional drive to really do it” (to create change, that is).

With its position in information curation and the partnerships created through the Summit, Friederike and the Beneficial Design Institute have a significant chance to advance knowledge of sustainability issues and set the course for future goals and actions. The Summit encourages a holistic, cross-disciplinary and critical conversation by bridging the creative design and start-up scene with leaders in the fashion and textile industries, as well as cutting-edge academia and science, politics, and decision-makers. Friederike hopes they can take stock, ensure sustainable development is headed in the correct direction, participate in reorientation, and at the same time, foster innovation through their network and engagement.