Amsterdam Fashion Week (AFW) is taking over a new ground this summer. On June 21, 2025, in honour of the city's 750th anniversary, AFW will transform part of the A10 highway into a monumental runway, hosting the first-ever fashion show staged on a runway. As part of the event, 15 kilometres of the A10 will be closed to traffic for the day, and the S106 exit will become the entrance to the 75-meter catwalk that will be open to the public and free to attend.

The event celebrates Amsterdam's rich cultural history and dynamic creative spirit while reinforcing the growing role of sustainability in shaping the future of fashion.

AFW Values: Creativity, Accessibility, Sustainability

Amsterdam Fashion Week has long championed innovation and inclusivity, and in 2025, it is taking that commitment even further. This year’s event is rooted in a celebration of the past, present, and future, with a clear focus on advancing sustainable fashion.

Three influential figures in Dutch fashion: Guillaume Philibert (Filling Pieces), Borre Akkersdijk (BYBORRE), and Renée van Wijngaarden (1/OFF), will headline the collective runway show, each mentoring emerging talents to co-create 90 original looks. The result will be a dynamic fusion of established design excellence and fresh creative perspectives.

At the heart of each collection is repurposed Levi’s® denim, allowing designers to reimagine deadstock materials into expressive new designs, showcasing both innovation and the power of circular fashion practices. Further extending the project’s sustainable mission, Amsterdam Fashion Week has partnered with the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA) to make selected runway looks available for public rental, giving high fashion a second life and making it more accessible in a sustainable way.

Image source: @amsterdamfashionweek

Outdoors and open to all

Hosting the show outdoors on a public highway, free of charge, adds another layer of accessibility and environmental consciousness. Instead of energy-intensive indoor venues, the open-air setting significantly reduces the event's carbon footprint and reinforces the message that fashion should be inclusive, transparent, and progressive.

Minimum Sustainability Requirements

In line with its mission of sustainability, AFW has partnered with Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) to implement the Minimum Sustainability Requirements. This is a framework first introduced by CPHFW that is now gaining traction across Europe. It spans six core areas:

• Strategic Direction

• Design

• Working Conditions

• Consumer Engagement

• Showcase Production

Read more about CPHFW Minimum Sustainability Requirements here.

Starting with a one-year pilot phase during the upcoming editions, approximately 30 brands on AFW's official show schedule will be evaluated against the Minimum Sustainability Requirements. The full integration of the framework is set for September 2026, positioning Amsterdam as a leader in embedding real, measurable sustainability standards in fashion events.

Image source: @amsterdamfashionweek

What's next?

Amsterdam's 750th birthday offers a moment to reflect both on the past and on what kind of future the city, and through AFW, the fashion industry, wants to create. By embracing creativity, diversity, and measurable sustainability, AFW is setting a new standard for what fashion weeks can and should be.

Want to explore more about how the fashion industry is taking steps forward towards sustainable practices? Stay tuned to Reflwan's news page for the latest updates.