The Sustainable Fashion Forum

What The Sustainable Fashion Forum does

The Sustainable Fashion Forum is an independent media and events company headquartered in Portland, Oregon, founded in 2015 by Brittany Sierra. The company operates a platform-plus-events architecture centered on an annual sustainability conference (SFF26 scheduled October 28–30, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Portland), supplemented by the Week/End Substack newsletter, the Green Behavior podcast, the SFF Job Board, the Group Chat membership community, and the recently launched SFF Insiders membership program. SFF positions itself as a cultural intelligence brand focused on the "Science of Adoption," helping mid-to-senior sustainability professionals translate behavioral science and consumer psychology into measurable sustainability outcomes for fashion brands and retailers.

The company monetizes through four primary revenue streams: tiered conference ticket sales ($895–$1,095 per attendee with group, NGO, startup, academic, and government discounts), multi-tier corporate sponsorships, paid subscriptions on the Week/End Substack newsletter, and the SFF Insiders membership program. Distribution is community-led, leveraging a 204K+ Instagram following, Substack leaderboard positioning, podcast distribution, and an attendee base that has historically included Patagonia, H&M, Adidas, VF Corp, Gap, Nordstrom, Rothy's, Vestiaire Collective, eBay, and Cascale. Strategic partnerships with Rothy's (Sustainability Council), Debrand and Eastman (circular lanyards), Teen Vogue, and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition deepen the company's embeddedness in the sustainable fashion ecosystem. The underlying technology stack is intentionally lightweight, relying on Squarespace, Substack, Niceboard, Eventbrite, and Luma rather than proprietary infrastructure.

SFF is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding, operates as an Oregon LLC, and is led by founder and CEO Brittany Sierra alongside a small leadership team including a Director of Partnerships and a Production Director. The company has received industry recognition including Vogue Business 100 Innovators (2024) for its founder and Substack Bestseller status (July 2025) for its newsletter, and has held conferences in Portland, Austin, and virtually since transitioning back to in-person events at SFF23 in April 2023.

Name

The Sustainable Fashion Forum

Legal name

The Sustainable Fashion Forum LLC

Website

https://thesustainablefashionforum.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sustainable Fashion Forum is an independent media and events company that produces an annual sustainable fashion conference, a Substack newsletter, a podcast, a job board, and a membership community serving mid-to-senior sustainability, marketing, and strategy professionals across fashion brands and retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Fashion Industry Conferences and Media

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Business Associations (81391)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• Sustainable fashion events
• Industry conference services
• Fashion media publishing
• Consumer behavior research
• Corporate sponsorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Conference Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling tickets to the annual Sustainable Fashion Forum conference. SFF26 offers General All-Access passes at $1,095 and Tier 1 passes at $895 per person. Group discounts of 15% for 3+ attendees or 10% for 4+ attendees are available. Discounted rates are offered to nonprofits, startups, academic institutions, and government agencies.
2. Newsletter Subscription (Week/End): Substack-based newsletter publication 'Week/End: Sustainable Fashion News' that achieved bestseller status and ranks on Substack's Fashion & Beauty leaderboard. Revenue generated through paid subscriptions.
3. Sponsorship & Partnership: Corporate sponsors pay for brand visibility, thought leadership opportunities, networking access, and audience reach at SFF events. Multiple sponsorship tiers are offered with custom partnership opportunities available.
4. Job Board: SFF operates a job board connecting sustainability professionals with fashion companies. The job board is hosted on a third-party platform (Niceboard).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Sustainable Fashion Forum is an independent media and events company that produces an annual multi-day sustainability conference (SFF26, October 28-30, 2026 in Portland, OR) and surrounding editorial, newsletter, podcast, job board, and membership community offerings. The core offering is paid conference attendance for ~400 mid-to-senior sustainability, marketing, retail, and innovation professionals, supplemented by the Week/End Substack newsletter, Green Behavior podcast, SFF Job Board, and Group Chat membership. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, paid subscriptions, corporate sponsorships, and partnership programs.

Product overview

The Sustainable Fashion Forum operates as a cultural intelligence brand that bridges fashion, psychology, and sustainability through a platform-plus-events architecture. The core offering is the annual SFF conference (SFF26 scheduled October 2026 in Portland), supplemented by the Week/End newsletter (Substack publication), Green Behavior podcast, SFF Job Board, and Group Chat membership community. The SFF26 Intelligence Report is included with conference attendance. Founded in 2015, the company positions itself as an independent media and events company that helps industry leaders make sense of complex sustainability challenges through conferences, editorial content, newsletters, podcast, and original research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Week/End: A sustainability-focused newsletter publication that achieved Substack Bestseller status, providing readers with sharp analysis, curated news, and forward-thinking commentary on sustainable fashion.
• Green Behavior
• SFF Job Board

Products and services

• SFF26 Annual Conference Three-day annual in-person conference bringing together ~400 sustainability, marketing, retail, innovation, and strategy leaders to explore the Science of Adoption and how consumer behavior influences sustainability outcomes. Features keynotes, panels, workshops, networking, and the SFF26 Intelligence Report. Ticket pricing: General All-Access $1,095 and Tier 1 $895 per person.
• Week/End Newsletter Substack-based sustainability-focused newsletter providing readers with sharp analysis, curated news, and forward-thinking commentary on sustainable fashion. Achieved Bestseller status and ranks on Substack's Rising in Fashion & Beauty leaderboard; revenue generated through paid subscriptions.
• Green Behavior Podcast Podcast series bringing together insights from neuroscientists, researchers, and industry experts to explore the intersection of psychology, consumer behavior, and sustainability in fashion.
• SFF Job Board Sustainability-focused job board connecting skilled job seekers with companies and brands looking to improve their business practices and lessen their environmental impact. Hosted on a third-party platform (Niceboard).
• Group Chat Membership Community Exclusive membership network and online community for conscious fashion advocates exploring the intersections of fashion and sustainability. Offers priority event access, exclusive resources, and members-only digital events.
• SFF Insiders Membership Program Membership program that prioritizes connection over surface-level networking, offering exclusive access to events, content, and community features for members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Week/End newsletter achieved Substack Bestseller status in just six months after October 2024 launch
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• DebrandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFF collaborated with Debrand, a pioneer in next-life logistics, for the circular lanyard initiative at SFF24 in Austin, Texas. Debrand provided reusable evergreen lanyards designed to reduce waste across multiple events. At the conclusion of SFF24, lanyards were collected, sanitized, and prepared by Debrand for future events. This partnership exemplifies SFF's commitment to sustainable event practices and collaborative innovation.
• EastmancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEastman, a leader in global textile recycling, partnered with SFF for the circular lanyard initiative at SFF24. Damaged or contaminated lanyards are recycled through Eastman's carbon renewal technology, which breaks down difficult-to-recycle materials to their molecular components for creation of new lanyards. This partnership demonstrates circular economy solutions in event planning.
• Teen VogueflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSFF partnered with Teen Vogue for SFF22 digital conference to engage GenZ and young millennials. Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Versha Sharma participated in a fireside chat with Depop head of sustainability. The partnership aimed to ignite conversation and inspire change with the next generation of change-makers.
• Rothy'sflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFF founder Brittany Sierra was appointed a founding member of Rothy's Sustainability Council, working alongside scientists, designers, and experts to create industry-wide zero-waste product solutions. SFF and Rothy's also co-hosted an NYC pop-up networking event at Rothy's Nolita store. SFF advised on sustainability strategy.
• PangaiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPangaia is listed as an attendee/brand present at SFF conferences, representing the innovative sustainable materials brand at SFF26.
• Vestiaire CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVestiaire Collective attended SFF conferences and was featured at SFF24 with circular economy initiatives including their cost-per-wear campaign.
• Better CottonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBetter Cotton attended SFF conferences with Ashley Munro, Senior Claims and Integrity Manager, speaking at SFF26 on sustainability claims and certification.
• AdidasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdidas attended SFF conferences representing major athletic brand with sustainability initiatives.
• VF CorpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVF Corp (parent company of The North Face, Vans) attended SFF conferences.
• Gap IncminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGap Inc attended SFF conferences with sustainability leadership representation including speaker participation.
• CascaleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition) attended SFF conferences as a trade association for sustainable apparel.
• EverlaneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEverlane attended SFF conferences with representation at speaker lineup.
• Eileen FisherminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEileen Fisher attended SFF conferences representing sustainable fashion brand.
• NordstromminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNordstrom attended SFF conferences representing major fashion retailer.
• eBayminorGTM or Marketing PartnereBay attended SFF conferences representing major resale platform.
• PatagoniaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPatagonia attended SFF26 with Aileen Ottenweller, Global Senior Director of Brand and Business Impact Marketing, speaking on the MainStage about designing for consumer behavior.
• H&M GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerH&M Group featured at SFF22 with Peter Ford, green investment program specialist, in exclusive Q&A on climate goals and supply chain emissions.
• TimberlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTimberland featured at SFF22 with Atlanta McIlwraith sharing insights on Timberloop circular program and consumer appetite for circular systems.
• DepopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDepop featured at SFF22 with Justine Porterie, head of sustainability, in fireside chat with Teen Vogue exploring GenZ shopping habits.
• PANGAIAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPANGAIA featured at SFF22 with Dr. Amanda Parkes, chief innovation officer, on material sustainability roundtable.
• ReformationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReformation featured at SFF NYC pop-up with SFF and Teen Vogue; provided attire for SFF team.
• The Butcher's DaughterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Butcher's Daughter provided catering for SFF NYC pop-up event at Rothy's Nolita store.
• AllmademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerAllmade sponsored food at SFF NYC pop-up event at Rothy's Nolita store.
• Straightaway CocktailsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStraightaway Cocktails provided alcoholic beverages for SFF NYC pop-up event.
• Brew Dr. KombuchaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrew Dr. Kombucha provided non-alcoholic beverages for SFF NYC pop-up event.
• GhiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGhia provided non-alcoholic beverages for SFF NYC pop-up event.
• Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable Apparel Coalition joined as Event Partner for SFF23, bringing CEO Amina Razvi to the SFF MainStage. The partnership promoted cross-functional collaboration to drive positive change toward a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable fashion industry.
• Apparel Impact Institute (AII)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerApparel Impact Institute attended SFF conferences as an organization working to identify and fund solutions for fashion's environmental impact.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Global Fashion Summit (formerly Copenhagen Fashion Summit): The leading global sustainability conference for the fashion industry, organized by the Global Fashion Agenda. Directly comparable as a high-profile, fashion-vertical sustainability summit attracting major brands and policymakers.
• Textile Exchange: Nonprofit focused on preferred fiber and materials in fashion, running an annual industry conference. Comparable as a sector-specific convening platform driving sustainability adoption across fashion supply chains.
• Sustainable Brands: Community and conference business covering brand-led sustainability across categories including fashion. Comparable as an events-plus-media platform serving sustainability professionals inside consumer brands.
• Fashion for Good: Fashion-sustainability innovation platform and convening organization running events and programs for brands, innovators, and investors. Comparable as a sustainability-focused fashion convening and community platform.
• Common Objective: Fashion-sustainability community and learning platform for brands and professionals. Comparable as a sector-specific community and content destination serving the same sustainability professional audience.

Broad incumbents

• GreenBiz Group: Events and media company covering sustainable business broadly (VERGE, GreenBiz). Comparable as a media-plus-events platform serving sustainability executives, though spanning industries beyond fashion.
• The Business of Fashion (BoF): Fashion-industry media company with editorial, events (BoF Professional Summits), and community offerings. Comparable as a fashion-vertical media-plus-events business targeting industry professionals, with sustainability as one of multiple coverage areas.
• Vogue Business: B2B fashion-industry publication covering sustainability, technology, and business strategy. Comparable as a curated editorial voice shaping fashion sustainability discourse and serving the same professional audience as SFF.
• Sourcing Journal: Trade media covering fashion supply chain and sustainability. Comparable as a B2B media outlet producing editorial and events covering fashion sustainability topics for industry professionals.

Emerging players

• Climate Board: Subscription-based peer community for corporate sustainability leaders. Comparable as a paid community/membership offering for senior sustainability professionals, an adjacent model to SFF's Group Chat and event business.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCq2hVdl-9FFEtjQcl2PO4MA
• Facebookfacebook.com/thesustainablefashionforum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-sustainable-fashion-forum
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesustainablefashionforum
• Xx.com/sustyfashion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Sustainable Fashion Forum