Global Fashion Summit debuts in China, calling for global collaboration on sustainability

8 November 2024: Global Fashion Summit, the international forum for sustainability in fashion, presented a special Shanghai Gala edition on 7 November during the China International Import Expo (CIIE). The event was presented by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) and Chinamind NEXT and gathered key local and international fashion industry stakeholders for an evening of compelling discussions during a gala dinner at The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan.

Global Fashion Summit: Shanghai Gala was centred on the theme, ‘Unlocking the Next Level’, and built on insights from the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition held in May. By hosting the Summit in Shanghai—a dynamic city that melds tradition with innovation and sets global trends—the event aimed to promote dialogue and cross-country collaboration to influence sustainable practices on an international scale.

Throughout the evening, guests heard from distinguished speakers from companies including COACH, H&M Group, Piaget China, Chinamind NEXT, Décor Global, Erdos Cashmere Group, Target, Balian Group, and more. Discussions addressed critical topics such as ‘Circularity at Scale’, ‘Shaping Sustainable Retail’, and ‘Ambition to Action’, spotlighting key strategies for accelerating the implementation of sustainability across the fashion value chain. View all speakers and programme.

At the event, GFA announced the publication of The GFA Monitor 2024 – a resource designed to guide industry leaders towards creating a net positive fashion industry. Launched ahead of COP29, this year’s publication serves as a streamlined update, highlighting both significant advancements and ongoing challenges in the industry. Download the report here.

Federica Marchionni, CEO, Global Fashion Agenda, says: “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. 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, Chinamind NEXT, remarked: “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.”

During the event, GFA also announced the official launch of ticket sales for the upcoming Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2025, scheduled for 3-5 June next year. The theme for the 2025 edition was revealed as ‘Barriers and Bridges’, which will guide the discussions and actions planned for next year’s Summit.

For more information about the Summit visit globalfashionsummit.com.

Learn more about Global Fashion Agenda at globalfashionagenda.org.

For any media queries please contact press@globalfashionagenda.org.
 

About Global Fashion Agenda

Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is a non-profit organisation that fosters industry collaboration on sustainability in fashion to accelerate impact. With the vision of a net positive fashion industry, it drives action by mobilising, inspiring, influencing and educating all stakeholders.
 
The organisation has been leading the movement since 2009 and presents the renowned international forum on sustainability in fashion, Global Fashion Summit in core fashion regions around the world. GFA influences policy through its advocacy efforts including the Global Textiles Policy Forum, publishes thought leadership including The GFA Monitor,  Fashion CEO Agenda and Fashion on Climate, implements impact programmes including the Circular Fashion Partnership and the Global Circular Fashion Forum, presents educational guidance through the GFA Academy, and connects companies with solutions through the Innovation Forum.
 
Working in partnership with a wide ecosystem of companies and organisations across the value chain, GFA spearheads the fashion industry’s journey towards a more sustainable future. Through its work, GFA reaches thousands of stakeholders including brands, innovators, NGOs, policy makers, manufacturers, investors and more.

About Chinamind NEXT

Founded by a unique team of the most experienced media experts (former President of Condé Nast China, CEO of Hearst China, Editor in Chief of FT Lifestyle and Madame Figaro China, Publisher of Tatler) Chinamind Next is the publisher of seven leading fashion industry media titles, including WWD, Sourcing Journal, Beauty Inc, Fashion Insight etc. Chinamind Next’s success is driven by an integrated media approach, from digital to social, from events to print, from intelligence to summits engaging consumers and decision makers. 

Chinamind Next is a leader in organising forums and summits around the pressing topics of the industry and a close partner with various Chinese government institutions. 

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