Global Fashion Summit Debuts in China

Held in Shanghai, the Forum Focused on Sustainability and Fashion’s Future

The Global Fashion Summit hosted a special Shanghai Gala edition on November 7 during the China International Import Expo. Organized by Global Fashion Agend and Chinamind NEXT, the event brought together prominent figures from the fashion industry, both local and international, for an evening of discussions focused on sustainability. The gala dinner was held at The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan.

This Shanghai Gala marked an extension of the Global Fashion Summit’s theme, “Unlocking the Next Level,” initially introduced at the Summit’s Copenhagen edition in May. With Shanghai as the venue—a city renowned for blending traditional and modern influences—the event sought to foster international collaboration to advance sustainable fashion practices worldwide.

Throughout the evening, speakers from brands such as COACH, H&M Group, Piaget China, Chinamind NEXT, Décor Global, Erdos Cashmere Group, Target, and Balian Group presented their insights. Topics on the agenda included “Circularity at Scale,” “Shaping Sustainable Retail,” and “Ambition to Action,” each addressing critical strategies to expedite sustainability within the fashion sector.

During the event, GFA announced the release of The GFA Monitor 2024, a guide aimed at helping industry leaders work towards a net positive impact in fashion. Published in advance of COP29, the 2024 edition provides an update on the industry’s progress and ongoing challenges.

“The inaugural edition of Global Fashion Summit in China marked an evening of profound thought leadership, demonstrating the opportunity for the industry to convert ambitious goals into meaningful actions with ripple effects felt across communities and ecosystems worldwide,” said Federica Marchionni, CEO of Global Fashion Agenda. “In this new era, we are forging critical dialogues and alliances at the Summit, which we plan to build upon at our next Summit in Copenhagen next year.”

Ms. Lynn Fu, CEO of Chinamind NEXT, added, “The arrival of Global Fashion Summit in Shanghai as the most respected summit in the sustainable fashion industry marks a significant milestone. It has sparked profound discussions among participants on the theme of Unlocking the Next Level. As the world’s largest consumer of apparel and textiles, China has a substantial impact on driving sustainable industry trends and cultivating consumers’ green preferences. When Chinese fashion companies and international brands collaborate more passionately on their sustainable visions, profound and enduring benefits for the industry will be delivered.”

The Summit also announced that ticket sales for the upcoming Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2025, scheduled for June 3-5, have officially opened. The theme for the next edition, “Barriers and Bridges,” was unveiled, setting the stage for continued discussions and actions on sustainability in fashion.