2020230 Berlin Fashion Summit
Workshop #3 Fashion Economy
It was exciting to be part of the fashion economy workshop, especially with such great other participants.
Host:
● Max Gilgenmann (Studio MM04) Facilitator:
● Manuel Großmann (Service Design Coach & Consultant) Participants:
● Annika Sauter (replacing Michael Spitzbarth, bleed clothing)
● Anas Alshanti (Fundlify Crowdfunding, Founder / CEO)
● Ricardo Garay (Circular Systems, Agraloop Platform Lead)
● Christine Fehrenbach (Fehrenbach Consulting. Brand. Sustainability, CEO / Consultant)
● Ivana Perbi-Ohlheiser (Wardrobe Affaire, Founder)
● Franzisca Markschläger (GIZ GmbH / Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, Advisor / Project Manager)
● Viktoria Kanar (Re-Fresh Global, Co-Founder)
● Simone Seisl (Textile Exchange, Consultant)
● Martiene Raven (The Raven Collective, Founder)
● Stephan Engel (former Otto Group / Engel Welzer Bachmann GmbH, Co-Founder)
● Dr. Ulf Jaeckel (Federal Ministry for the Environment Germany, Head of Division)
● Thekla Wilkening (Thekla Wilkening UG, CEO / Consultant)
● Katharina Liefner (Armed Angels, Corporate Responsiblity)
Anke Erdt (Social Fashion Company GmbH, Senior PR / Communication Manager)
● Tim Cholibois (Circularity, Co-Founder)
POP UP THINK TANK FASHION ECONOMY - REFLECTIONS
Where and how will fashion happen? How will customers and users access fashion, online and offline,
where and how will fashion be presented and performed? What will be the new industry standard of the future? By understanding where fashion happens, where it is at home and not where it is produced, we can shift the production goals of the economy. How can we integrate the real needs of people and society into market rhythms and seasons? How might this affect the economy and shift the system to one that is still profitable but healthy?
The combining forces of technological innovation and globalisation have already created new trends, challenges and opportunities. The impact of the changing global climate and cultural rifts and shifts, social media and mobile internet, advanced manufacturing, high-end research and development, design and marketing, and changing demographics are combining to create significant changes in all aspects of the fashion industry - with the potential to reshape it for years to come - preferably for the benefit of the planet with all its life. Fashion's boundaries are increasingly blurring, with new digital distribution channels emerging with diversifying direct-to-consumer offerings.
It is foreseeable that "changing the system will unlock billions of dollars of economic opportunities" which can only be realised with new business models and collaboration across the value chain, including marketing, retail, advertising, after-sale scenarios as well as service-oriented repair and rental models that enable new revenue streams, etc.
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/fashion-and-the-circular-economy
What are investors looking at now and what will they look at in the future? How do we become a more collaborative and resilient fashion network that serves the new diversity of needs and frameworks?
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION
A) LEGISLATION / POLICY ON FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE & CIRCULAR PRODUCTION
1. politics need to make companies pay the "real" costs of fashion, to make change financially attractive
2. More funding for circular businesses (f.e. open calls for circular city)
3. Rewarding the ‘good’ way of business and consumption, especially for small sustainable businesses (f.e. with tax incentives)
4. Regulation about recycled material quotas and supply chain transparency
B) INDUSTRY RESPONSIBILITY:
1. Shift away from fast fashion with a focus on ethics and inclusion of consumer expectations
2. Collaborate and share knowledge!
3. Transformation within the company!
4. Connect fashion design more with sustainability
C) TOOLS NEEDED:
1. Mapping of stakeholders and resources
2. Supply Chain traceability & connection tools for companies and their partners
3. Independent Crowdfunding for production runs / bulk orders
4. Individual and Organization Directory for necessary skills