Innovation meets tradition in Dongguan

Under the theme "Fashion Transformation: Coexistence in Diversity", the 2025 Global Fashion Conference was held in Dongguan in South China's Guangdong province on November 16. The event brought together industry elites, designers, scholars, and business representatives from 25 countries and regions, including Italy, the UK, Spain, Egypt, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The convention focused on exploring paths and solutions for industry symbiosis in an era of uncertainty.

Organized by the China National Textile and Apparel Council and hosted by the China Garment Association and the China Textile Information Center, the convention was timely, given China's status as the world's largest textile and apparel producer, consumer, and exporter. The event aimed to leverage the platform to share wisdom, foster cooperation, and promote the prosperity of the global textile and apparel industry.

Juan Pares, president of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation, highlighted the challenges such as weak demand and slow recovery due to market volatility, information overload, and geopolitical tensions. He emphasized the need for strategic collaboration, sustainable development, green supply chains, technological innovation, and digital applications. Building diverse global partnerships and focusing on human-centric innovation and mutual respect were identified as key to strengthening industry resilience.

Sun Ruizhe, president of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, stressed the global apparel industry's role in employment, economic growth, and cultural exchange. He pointed out that the industry is undergoing profound changes driven by geopolitical conflicts, trade barriers, regionalization, diversification, AI, and sustainability becoming a core value. At the same time, emerging markets and personalized demand are creating new opportunities.

During the convention, design pioneers from China, Italy, the UK, and France, led by Chen Yu, explored ideas on cultural diversity, brand uniqueness, and design inclusivity. The discussion went beyond style trends, calling for a return to the core value of design.

Fabio Del Bianco, men's design director at TOD'S, emphasized the importance of observation, and openness in multinational fashion design, and thoughtful integration of diverse elements while staying true to the brand's core DNA and values.

Joshua Scacheri, design director at Gieves & Hawkes, underscored the balance between tradition and innovation, with craftsmanship and reputation as the foundation.

Christophe Blondin-Péchabrier, former designer at Karl Lagerfeld and Lanvin, advocated for embracing diversity, bold innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration rooted in mutual respect to achieve shared success.