After a Pre-Convention in November 2020, which due to the pandemic was inevitably held purely digitally the IAF and Euratex again invited to events in presence with their annual international summits at the beginning of November this year.

Wisely and contemporary orchestrated in a hybrid format – ergo the option to participate in presence or via streaming – both associations, representing the interests of the global textile and apparel industry, were able to score points in every such respect.

The new normal will require transition in fashion business on all levels from design to production – from operations to sourcing. And there is consensus among stakeholders from all levels: In light of ever growing demands and decreasing prices, there will be more emphasis on quicker processes to support a more customer-centric organization with speed. The awareness already pre-pandemic was aimed towards various structural problems the industry faces. Yet as per demand from societies, from consumers and the planet’s ecosystem to act sustainably and in a climate-saving manner it gets rather obvious change has to happen briskly. So once again, the IAF hit the nail on the head with the guiding theme World Fashion Convention 2021 event dedicated to the theme “Transition of the Global Fashion System”.

Brisk and mindful one wants to add: The International Apparel Federation, the world association of the apparel industry, came up with an agenda covering precisely those perspectives with top-of-the notch keynotes, inspirational expert and user panels. Deep dives into what works – or at least could work – food for thought and reflection supplied to around 300 delegates from all over the world – having attended in presence or via the streaming service. Approximately 145 professionals from apparel and textile industry, particularly from a large number of EU countries, a large delegation from Turkey, a significant delegation from Bangladesh and also delegates from the UK, Switzerland, the US, Morocco, Pakistan enjoyed to mingle onsite.

In a nutshell

Major take away from Antwerp for all stakeholders can be summarized in two essential aspects:

• Sector players need to join hands to move from transactional relationships to business partnerships, executives believe.

• The industry’s transition to a more efficient, sustainable and transparent industry hinges on the adoption of technology, collaboration in the supply chain and on a switch to future oriented business models.

Vivek Ramachandran, CEO of HSBC-founded supply chain solutions provider SERAI brought it to the point, when saying, “…as an industry we need one global platform for everybody to access”. Obviously such type of database to be fed with valuable, real-time data.

Synergistic industry convergence

Antwerp, fashion metropolis, worldwide leading diamond center since the 16th century, with Europe’s second largest industrial port important logistical hub was the venue of choice for the 36th IAF World Fashion Convention at November, 8. Synergistic event concept for holistic thinking decision-makers: Same site, next day Euratex, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, held its 9th Convention back to back with the IAF’s: Comprehensive content were transferred with interactive sessions covered by experts, institutional and industry representatives along the theme “A new Paradigm for the European Textiles and Clothing Industry”. Whereas the IAF conference viewed industry transition through the lens of global supply chain collaboration, the Euratex conference took a more legislative perspective: In view of the comprehensive package of rules on sustainability and labor conditions with a large effect on the apparel industry that will be coming from Brussels – on the part of the EU Commission – in the coming years.

You can see more impressions of the two conventions in our picture gallery.

37th World Fashion Convention in Dhaka

In 2022 IAF will return to Southwest Asia (2019 Convention: Lahore, Pakistan) for its World Fashion Convention: Site selection in face of Bangladesh’s key role as one of the largest exporters of apparel in the world, the sector accounting for 83% of total export earnings of the country.

• The 37th World Fashion Convention will be held on November 13– 17, 2022 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, hosted by local associations BGMEA, BKMEA and IAF.?

Author: Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh