Faced with diverse pressing pressures, the fashion industry held a summit in Russia in December 2023 to chart ways of how it can transform and remain relevant and sustainable.
The Business programme boasted 40 sessions, featuring an impressive lineup of more than 200 speakers from across the world. They addressed the most pressing matters in the fashion industry, including international cooperation, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation. Among the esteemed speakers were notable heads of fashion associations, such as Yang Jian, Executive Chairman of China Fashion Association, Alia Khan, Founder and Chairwoman of Islamic Fashion and Design Council (UAE), Paras Bairoliya, Senior Member of Board of Governors at Fashion Design Council of India, Mubashar Naseer Butt, Chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (Pakistan), and many others. The captivating presentations and thought-provoking discussions shed light on the importance of sustainability, inclusivity, and ethical practices in the fashion world.
Yet, the summit was more than just a showcase of aesthetic prowess. It was also a crucible of ideas and innovation. The summit delved into pressing issues facing the fashion industry. From discussions on sustainability and ethical practices to explorations of emerging technologies, the discourse was as diverse as it was enlightening. Esteemed voices shared their wisdom to the conversations, underscoring the importance of collaboration and collective action in shaping the future of fashion.
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Keynote speakers and industry experts took to the stage to explore the deeper currents shaping the world of fashion. The discussions focused on the historical significance of certain trends and reflections on the evolving role of social media. The talks offered a nuanced understanding of the forces driving change in the industry.
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No industry can ignore the challenge of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact. Participants looked into whether neural networks could replace stylists, designers, fashion journalists and influencers? Nikita Khudov, Executive Director at Sber AI, put it this way: “Artificial intelligence is not about replacing people, but about helping them. For example, it can automate some tasks. When we talk about neural tools intended for programmers, we understand that such means don’t have to replace human engineers. We don’t want AI to write all the code – we want it to write code faster and more efficiently. And that is the case in many other areas of business.”
When asked about the skills that fashion entrepreneurs need, Gregg Maragelis, Director of Cape Town College of Fashion Design, remarked that education remains of prime importance in this sphere: “First of all, every fashion business operator needs top quality education in order to be sure that they have the basic skills. This is necessary so that in the future they can understand which path they’d like to tread. It is your education that can guide you and show you your strengths. Until you have this basis, achieving anything specific will hardly be possible.”
Maxim Fedyukov, CEO of Texel, described how AI helps to find the right employees for the company and choose the best applicants from loads of CVs submitted: ‘The programme collects all the applications we get for our vacancies available. The algorithm analyzes them with 20+ criteria to see how suitable a particular applicant is and issues a letter of description.’
As the curtains closed on the five-day extravaganza, one thing became abundantly clear: the BRICS+ Fashion Summit was not merely an event; it was a testament to the transformative power of fashion. It was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the unbreakable spirit of human endeavor. And as attendees bid farewell to the Russian capital, they carried with them not just memories, but a renewed sense of purpose and possibility, ready to embark on a journey of style and substance in a world brimming with endless possibilities.
Also see: From runway to reflection: Moscow hosts the spectacular BRICS+ Fashion Summit
