07/12/2021 – Impressions in pictures
Lively exchange at the IAF Convention 2021
For textile network, Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh attended the IAF and Euratex Convention in early November and captured her impressions in pictures.
The accompanying exhibition provided plenty of opportunities to get to know solution providers, especially from the supply chain management and optimization segment, and to take a closer look at them. From the left: Blaise Desoblin, Business evelopment Management, Pivot88, Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh for textile network, Dunja Hoejenbos, IAF. © Pieter Hulleman
Guy Ryder pointed out how the pandemic demonstrated the fragility of supply chains. “Recovery must be both sustainable and inclusive and this will require for all of us to be pro-active to shape a future with more equality and social justice”, the ILO (International Labor Organization) Director underlined. And: “I see technology as a source of better pay, more skilled jobs, increased productivity and cleaner greener business practices... Technology should be applied to help create sustainable and resilient businesses and the jobs that we need, more than being a substitute for decent jobs.” © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
“Everyone talks about the resilience of the value chain. The topic comes up in almost every exchange, event or media article”, remarked David Sävman. As contributor to the panel session pro Transparent Supply Chains he underlined the demand for a common logic with regard to price and flexibility – on conditions accounting for all market partners. H&M’s Global Head of Global Supply Chain further more explained how a cross-collaborative rather than a transactional approach is an integral part of H&M’s new supply chain policy aimed at supply chain resilience. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
Learning from the food industry: Leontine Hasselman-Plugge takes transition to a more transparent and circular supply chain from what she calls the “pizza perspective”: Having enabled clients such as Lidl or Jumbo over a period of 12 years in that most demanding sector to become impact buyers and going even beyond compliance the SIM CEO provided most motivating insight on what is feasible. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
“The global fashion industry’s profit is expected to fall by 93% in 2020. And yet there are silver linings among the clouds”, Saskia Hedrich, Senior Partner Mc Kinsey at Antwerp provided a sneak preview on the management consulting firms facts & figures with “The State Of Fashion 2021 Report”. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
The enlightening panel session between a 3D fashion artist, an enthusiastic manufacturer and two retail visionaries displayed yet another time the immense potential of three-dimensional model simulation for fashion business. Onsite (from the left): John Thorbeck Chainge Capital, PlatformE-CEO Conçalo Cruz, telling success story of his Portuguese. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
Connected from overseas (from the left): Brad Ballentine, Fox River Mills and Stanley Szeto, Lever Style. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
“The big challenge is to now encourage the whole fashion industry to work much more digital instead of analog in a profitable way,” stressed Jelle Vanhove from Tonickx. The Project Leader for 3rd party 3D Services that Belgium garment manufacturer offers since a while knows what he is talking about: “We take this mission seriously, with that also help our clients to become sustainable by converting collections in 3D to save samples and become future proof by consulting in work arounds based on our own experiences to implement 3D in the daily processes.” © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
Handing over office and insignia: IAF’s new president Cem Altan (on the right), manufacturer himself, emphasized in his inaugural speech: “As entrepreneurs we more than ever hold the key to create the future...”. Han Bekke (on the left) will remain active on the executive committee. © IAF
The power of networking: Mostly appreciated live and in presence again after all. Quite some initiatives for cross-collaborations had been kicked off spontaneously aside agenda. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
Faruque Hassan, President of the BGMEA, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, announcing the dates and the location for the IAF’s 37th World Fashion Convention 2022. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
Cheers with the team of IAF (from the left): General Secretary Matthijs and his wife Nadia Crietee, Communications Director Dunja Hoejenbos, treasurer Ed Gribbin of Gribbin Strategic. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
The IAF and Euratex Conventions were held under “Covid Safe” conditions: All attendees had to show up fully vaccinated, alternatively present a recent negative Covid-19 test result or proof of recovery. At the beginning of November no social distancing or the use of masks were required in well ventilated conference rooms, foyers and restaurant. © Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
MoMu – Antwerp’s Fashion Museum made the perfect venue for Euratex and IAF’s walking dinner. Highlight of a future-oriented gathering among industry partners. Models: Walter van Beirendonck © MoMu Antwerpen
The accompanying exhibition provided plenty of opportunities to get to know solution providers, especially from the supply chain management and optimization segment, and to take a closer look at them. From the left: Blaise Desoblin, Business evelopment Management, Pivot88, Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh for textile network, Dunja Hoejenbos, IAF. © Pieter Hulleman