Ruth Reichstein works in the cabinet of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. She deals with Green Deal related issues like transport and oceans and coordinates the New European Bauhaus initiative. Before joining the cabinet, she was part of the President’s internal think tank I.D.E.A. Ruth is a trained journalist and occupied several positions before joining the Commission beginning of 2019; both as communicator in the European Parliament and as journalist for several German news outlets such as “die tageszeitung”, “ARD” and “Deutschlandfunk”.

Dr Andrée-Anne Lemieux, IFM-KERING Sustainability Chair Director, Full Professor, Institut Français de la Mode, France Andrée-Anne Lemieux has a Doctorate in Industrial Engineering from ENSAM and a PhD from Polytechnique Montreal. She is specialized in major transformation of organisations and innovation for the fashion and luxury sector. After more than 15 years of experience in operational management positions in product development, sourcing, marketing, operations and retail sales in the fashion industry, she is now dedicated to higher education and research at the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris, where she leads the Sustainability IFM-KERING Research Chair and all sustainability initiatives for the Institute. Her research areas are transformation, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, traceability, circularity, durability, environmental and social impacts and fashion & Luxury sector.

Pascal Morand has been Executive President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode since 2016. He is an Emeritus Professor at ESCP Business School and a member of the National Academy of Technologies of France. He holds a Master degree in Management (HEC, 1978), a Master degree in Organization Science (University Paris Dauphine - PSL, 1979) and a Phd (Doctorat d’Etat) in Economics (University of Rouen, 1988). His doctoral thesis was on Bounded Rationality and the Market Economy. He has been Assistant and then Professor at Neoma Business School (1978-1985), Visiting Scholar at Northwestern University (1981), Lecturer at the University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and at HEC (1983-1987), Professor (1993-2018) at ESCP Business School. As Head of Institutions, he has been Director General of Institut Français de la Mode (1987-2006), Dean of ESCP Business School (2006-2012), Deputy Director General of Paris Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in charge of Studies, Public Affairs and Policy (2013-2015). He headed different missions and studies for the French Government and the European Commission (1995-2012). He was in particular endorsed by Christine Lagarde, then Minister of Economics of France, with missions respectively dealing with Globalization, Innovation, Accounting Standards and the financial crisis.(2006-2010). He was an advisor for the Moroccan Industry and Government (2002-2006). He is author of numerous publications and articles in particular on innovation, design and fashion economics. He also published three books focusing on the relationship between economy and culture: La victoire de Luther ; essai sur l’Union économique et monétaire, Vivarium/Maison des Sciences de l’Homme, 2001 ; Luxe et religions ; essai sur l’éthique de la richesse d’Orient en Occident, IFM/Regard, 2012 ; Le Moment Viennois ; Chroniques de la modernité à l’époque de la Sécession viennoise, Eyrolles, 2021.

Engineer with a specialization in biology and ecology, Alexandre Capelli began his career in 1999 as senior consultant with the French consultancy O2 France where he led projects in communication and eco-design especially for the luxury and agro-food industries. He joined LVMH in 2006 where he works now as Group Environment Deputy Director. He leads the topics of sustainable design, biodiversity and green innovation and creativity, especially through the Maison/0 program dedicated to regenerative luxury and in collaboration with the Central Saint Martins in London.

With over eleven years of experience in labor rights and clean production in the textile industry, Julia Kirschner brings comprehensive expertise to her role. She studied Environmental Sciences and Environmental Resource Management and has worked in various areas, including municipal work on climate change and climate awareness in Cape Town, as well as for various German fashion brands. Julia Kirschner has been with ARMEDANGELS since 2015, initially as Corporate Responsibility Manager and since 2021 as Social Impact Manager, focusing on the social impacts in the supply chain. Her passion for direct work on the ground, whether in factories or cotton fields, is reflected in her deep commitment to ARMEDANGELS' sustainable practices. Additionally, she values the opportunity to develop new strategic solutions. In her new role, Julia Kirschner will lead the Impact & Innovation Team, comprised of experts in the areas of social and environmental impact. ARMEDANGELS is pleased to fill this essential position with a long-term employee to continuously advance the company in these important areas.

Guy Morgan is Sustainability Director for CHANEL’s fashion division, based in Paris. In his role, Guy is responsible for ensuring the integrity of CHANEL’s approach to responsible and sustainable business transformation, within the fashion division. Guy is a board member of Paris Good Fashion and co-chair of the Fashion Pact operations committee, in addition to being a visiting business fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing. Guy has worked on sustainability issues in business, consulting, and research roles for over 20 years, across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He holds an MBA from Boston College Carroll School of Management, USA, and a BA in History and French from the University of Birmingham, UK.

Founder and sole director of Spin360, Federico Brugnoli has always worked as an entrepreneur in the field of advanced services for sustainability and innovation. He graduated with honours in 1997 in Environmental Sciences from the State University of Milan. In 2009, he founded Spin360, a company that has grown over time and specialises in developing new sustainable business models and innovative solutions from a technological and organisational point of view, dedicated (among others) to luxury companies all over the world. He works with his teams to innovate and promote sustainable business models in Fashion, Luxury, Interior Design, Automotive and other important sectors. In his projects, he tries try to develop an integrated approach toward “innovative sustainability”, encouraging collaboration between large corporations and small and medium-sized businesses. In other projects, he works alongside public authorities and the European Commission in developing and spreading innovative skills in response to fast changing market needs. Federico has developed specific technical skills among others in: Applied Research, Biotechnologies, Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Risk Management, Technology Transfer. He is also the curator of two inspiring events on innovation in the luxury industry: Science Based Fashion Talks at Lineapelle and MICAM X.

Bernd Fesel is the CEO of the EIT Culture & Creativity. A serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). In 2003, he founded the Office for Culture and Economy, advising institutions such as the German UNESCO Commission. He was vice director of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 and later director of the European Creative Business Network (ECBN) from 2016-2022. Furthermore, he played a key role in EU initiatives such as JRC-Creative City Monitor, Voices of Culture and the European Network on Cultural Management and Policy (ENCATC).

Christine has over 20 years of professional experience at the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation, with a specialization in fashion. She recently launched Sustainabelle Advisory Services focusing on innovation as the key to driving positive environmental and social impact. Previously, Christine was the Global Director of PANGAIA SCIENCE, the B2B arm of PANGAIA. Additionally, Christine was Head of Sustainable Innovation at Kering where she worked to fast-track circular and impact-driven innovations across the group. She also spent several years at INSEAD in the Centre for Entrepreneurship, where she focused on business model innovation for double and triple bottom line companies. Before that, she launched the B2B business, Edun Live, part of the ethical fashion brand, Edun Apparel, founded by Ali Hewson and Bono. She also practiced as a corporate lawyer specializing in venture capital and private equity law. Christine attended Harvard University, holds a law degree from Boston College Law School and has an MBA from INSEAD. She recently completed an executive education course through The Wharton School on Corporate Governance: Maximizing Effectiveness in the Boardroom.

Professor Dilys Williams is founder and Director of Centre for Sustainable Fashion, a University of the Arts London Research Centre, based at London College of Fashion, exploring fashion as sustainability in action with researchers and businesses across the world. Dilys is also chair of UAL’s Social Purpose Advisory Group, re-purposing the university in the context of our times. Dilys’ practice explores fashion as a conduit for living well together as humans in a more than human world. This is applied into education, business, public and political spheres. As Special Advisor to a UK House of Lords All Party Parliamentary Group, and via the UNFCCC Fashion Charter Advisory Panel, she brings climate and social justice considerations into global discourse. Trained at Manchester Metropolitan University and drawing on extensive experience as a practicing designer, she publishes in international academic journals, books and a wide range of media outlets. Dilys is a keen contributor to explorations that sit at the tension between where we are and where we might be.

Semora Mangnoesing is Commercial Director at EON, the leading product digitization platform, enabling retail brands to create traceable, intelligent and more valuable products. She brings over a decade of experience to her role in guiding brands to create sustainable, future-proofed business models through the infinite possibilities of Digital Product Passports. Formerly, Semora was CCO at tex.tracer where her focus was on creating transparent and honest fashion supply chains. She is a certified biomimicry expert and holds a BSc degree from Hotelschool The Hague. She lives in Amsterdam and is driven by systematic change in the benefit of people and planet.

Simone Cipriani, Chair of the Secretariat of the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion as well as Chief Technical Adviser and Founder of the Ethical Fashion Initiative of the UN, is a leading figure in promoting sustainability and responsible practices in the fashion industry. With his extensive experience and expertise, he has played a pivotal role in transforming the fashion industry into a catalyst for reducing global inequality and addressing climate change. In 2007, Simone Cipriani established the Ethical Fashion Initiative, a flagship program of the International Trade Centre, a United Nations agency. The program runs a sustainable supply chain and a business accelerator program that have enabled over 10,000 artisans from various African countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Benin, Ivory Coast, and DRC), the Caribbean (Haiti), and Asia (Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) to become regular suppliers for international fashion and lifestyle brands. Renowned brands such as Armani, Vivienne Westwood, Mimco, Camper, Adidas, Edun, Stella McCartney, Loewe, United Arrows, Ratti, Gucci, Osklen, Karen Walker, Brother Vellies, and others have partnered or worked with the Ethical Fashion Initiative and its collaborators. Driven by a mission to promote the creation of stakeholder value, the Ethical Fashion Initiative's supply chains are geared towards complete carbon neutrality and exhibit a high level of circularity.

Carlota Barrera, founder of her eponymous label, has been recognised as a promising newcomer in the world of genderless fashion and was the recipient of the 2019 Vogue Fashion Fund in Spain. Originally from northern Spain, Barrera relocated to London to pursue her career in fashion and tailoring. Utilising her queer female gaze as a key reference, her work delves into a modern interpretation of core garments, celebrating Spanish heritage, queer history, and evolving identities through exceptional craftsmanship and construction. Barrera's designs are characterised by a captivating interplay of simplicity and boldness. With a discerning eye for exceptional materials and a steadfast dedication to precise tailoring, Barrera's pieces effortlessly strike a balance between timeless sophistication and contemporary edge. After completing her studies at Central Saint Martins and IED, and earning a Master's Degree in Menswear at London College of Fashion, Barrera gained experience working in the RTW ateliers of Carmen March, Pedro del Hierro Madrid, and Richard Quinn. Her Master's collection, titled 'The Matador and the Fisherman,' showcased in 2019 in collaboration with Spanish craftsmen, laid the foundation for her eponymous label. This culminated in Barrera's receipt of the Vogue Fund in Spain, with key industry leaders as Jean Paul Gaultier on the jury. Subsequently, the label received further recognition, including awards such as Moda-FAD and MCDM, the latter honoring Barrera's commitment to the preservation and evolution of heritage and craft. Additionally, the label has partnered with global brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance Football.

Scott Lipinski has been holding the position of Chief Executive Officer at Fashion Council Germany (FCG) since December 2017, having already been Managing Director there since June 2017. After studying business administration at the DHBW Mannheim, he started his career as a consultant at the international management consultancy Accenture. This was followed by positions at renowned German fashion companies such as Wunderkind, Michalsky and lala Berlin. At Fashion Council Germany, he engages himself as a representative of fashion "Made & Designed in Germany". His goal is to establish German fashion as a cultural and economic asset and to generate more recognition and attention for the industry, both politically and culturally. This is implemented through political lobbying, the promotion of young creative talents, the establishment of networks and the creation of platforms for interdisciplinary exchange on a national and international level. As one of the founders of the European Fashion Alliance (EFA), he is committed to establishing an international network within the fashion industry. The 29 member organizations of the association, founded in 2022, represent more than 10,000 companies in the fashion sector from all over Europe. In addition, Scott Lipinski is one of the initiators of PLATTE.Berlin, Germany's first interdisciplinary and intercultural fashion network, which was launched in Berlin in 2021.

Carlo Capasa is the Chairman of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, the Association that brings together Italian fashion houses with the aim of promoting this sector of excellence of the national industry in the world. First appointed as a board member of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in 2010 and elected Chairman in 2015, Capasa, chosen with the aim of orchestrating the relaunch of the Association, has imprinted a strategic vision focused on five pillars: environmental and social sustainability, digitalisation, training, promotion of new brands, and storytelling. Under the leadership of Carlo Capasa, CNMI has become the world leader among other associations on the subject of sustainability, with the publication in 2016 of the first 'Guidelines on eco-toxicological requirements for clothing, leather goods, footwear and accessories'; the 'CNMI Principles for Retail Sustainability' (2017) the 'Guidelines on Ecotoxicological Requirements for Chemical Mixtures and Industrial Discharges' (2018); the 'Scientific Research on the Bioavailability of Carcinogenic Aromatic Amines' (2018); the 'Global Sustainability Report - Sustainability matters, but does it sell? "(2019) in collaboration with McKinsey & Company; of the 'Diversity and Inclusion Manifesto' (2019); in collaboration with Fair Wage Network of the 'Social Sustainability Report' and the 'Social Sustainability Roadmap' (2020); and of the document 'Good Manufacturing Practices - Guidelines on the Use of Chemicals in Fashion Production Chains' (2021), the result of the work of the CNMI Chemicals Commission. Carlo Capasa kicked off the first three editions of the "International Roundtable on Sustainability", an international meeting aimed at CSR managers of fashion companies from around the world; the first four editions of the "Green Carpet Fashion Awards" and the "CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards"; the first CNMI Summit "Crafting the Future" organised together with Bain Company and The Business of Fashion; the Exhibition "Crafting the Future of Fashion, Stories of Craftsmanship and Innovation" curated by Franca Sozzani; "Italian. Italy as seen by Fashion. 1971-2001' curated by Maria Luisa Frisa and Stefano Tonchi; 'Memos. A proposito della moda in questo millennio" curated by Maria Luisa Frisa. Since December 2020 Carlo Capasa has been a member of the board of Altagamma, of which he is Vice-President with responsibility for fashion, and since May 2021 he has been a board member of the INDICAM Association. Born in Lecce, Puglia, he moved to Milan after his classical studies. In this city he developed a successful career participating, as an entrepreneur, in the success of important brands in the sector. Carlo Capasa served as CEO of Costume National until March 2016, when the Maison he founded with his brother Ennio in 1986 was sold to a Japanese Group.

Jasmien Wynants, co-founder of Masjien, is a leading force driving sustainability in the fashion industry. Her impactful work earned her the title 'Sustainability Professional of the Year' in 2023. Over the years, she has advised start-ups and SMEs on sustainability strategies, managed the sustainability efforts at Xandres, and pioneered the 'Close The Loop' circular fashion program for Flanders Fashion Institute, now Flanders DC. Not limited to industry professionals, Jasmien also engages consumers through projects like the MoMu Fashion & Sustainability walk and co-authored the children's book 'Groeien broeken aan bomen?' to promote awareness and education. Her academic background in Environmental Sciences, Communication Sciences, and Management fuels her passion for knowledge-sharing. As a guest editor for Fashion United, guest lecturer at various universities and keynote speaker, she communicates essential environmental science topics to a broader audience, leaving a positive impact on the fashion community and beyond.

Iliana Ivanova is the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. She previously served as Member of the European Court of Auditors (2013 – 2023), as Member of the European Parliament (2009 – 2012) and as a Member of Sofia City Council (2007 – 2009). She has also worked as Investment and business analyst in various financial and banking institutions in US as well as coordinator for International financial institutions in the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Christian Ehler is a Member of the European Parliament (EP) since 2004. He was born on 17 August 1963 in Munich. He holds a degree in journalism and economics from the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich (1991) as well as a PhD of political science on the topic of U.S. trade policy (1993). Until 2010 Ehler held the post of Managing Director of Biotech GmbH - a biotechnology centre in Hennigsdorf, Germany. In the European Parliament Christian Ehler is a member and EPP coordinator of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and a substitute member of the Committee on Culture. Christian Ehler is also member of the US Delegation and substitute member of the Delegation for relations with Israel as well as the Delegation for the Mediterranean. Christian Ehler has been one of the leading figures in the design and implementation of the EU research and innovation programs, as Rapporteur for both Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Christian Ehler is the initiator of an ITRE working group dedicated to closer parliamentary scrutiny of EU R&I -programs implementation and he is vice-chair of the EP think thank STOA. Furthermore, Christian Ehler has been rapporteur of the joint report by the Industry and Culture Committee of the European Parliament entitled “A coherent EU policy for the cultural and creative industries in Europe”, the Parliaments´ rapporteur of the own-initiative report on the “New European Bauhaus” and was the ITRE rapporteur for the own-initiative report on the "EU Textiles Strategy".

Henrik Vibskov is a renowned and award-winning Danish fashion designer, artist, curator and musician. Although commonly associated with fashion and the twisted yet tantalising universes created around each collection, Henrik’s creative practice covers multiple artforms. Working in the intersection between art and design, his work ranges from fashion collections to installation, product design, performances and exhibitions, always exploring creativity without limits and adapting the design approach to the changing contexts. Since his graduation from Central St Martin’s in 2001, he has produced more than 40 fashion collections and exhibited in several international design fairs, festivals and museums all over the world, including MoMA in New York, Palais de Tokyo in Paris, The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa and the ICA in London, to name a few. He has been a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Masculine since January 2003 and has been active on the official show schedule of the Paris Men's Fashion Week for 20 years. Alongside his work in the studio, Henrik is a Professor at DSKD, sitting on juries and giving lectures at institutions such as Central Saint Martins in London, Parsons New York and the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Art amongst others. Next to the biannual fashion collections, he has also designed costumes for numerous operas and performances, including collaborations with Hotel Pro Forma, the Oslo Opera House, The Swedish National Ballet and the Brussels Opera House. Most recently he designed the costumes for the ballet “Hammer” by Alexander Ekman at the Gothenburg Opera in Sweden. As a musician, Henrik keeps himself occupied as a drummer currently with his band Luksus, who are to perform at Syd For Solen Festival 2023 in Copenhagen. He has also played with Hess is More, his own project Mountain Yorokobu, Mikael Simpson and Trentemøller, who he toured the world with for 6 years.

Caroline Rush CBE is the Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC). Since her appointment as Chief Executive in April 2009, she has focused on strengthening the British Fashion Council’s network and platforms to connect businesses with global audiences both trade and consumer. During this time London Fashion Week has become a globally recognised platform for creativity fashion talent. The Fashion Awards has become the international awards for the fashion industry and has raised £millions for the BFC Foundation and its charitable projects. Recently, the BFC launched The Institute of Positive Fashion as an engine room for change, galvanising the industry to address how it can more positively impact the Environment, People and Community. Caroline sits on the UK’s Creative Industries Council, is a member of the Conde Nast College Advisory Council and is co-Chair of the Circular Fashion Innovation Network and Chair of The Creative Industries Trade & Investment Board.

Elke Timmerman is nowadays in charge of the International & Business relations at Flanders DC, the Flemish platform for fashion & design. As a strong believer of l’Union fait la force fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, sustainability and innovation in the fashion & design industry, she co-founded in 2022 the European Fashion Alliance, a network of 29 European fashion organisations empowering a prosperous European fashion eco-system. With a background in politics, trade, and PR followed by over 15 years of experience in advocating for and mentoring emerging and established fashion and design talents in Belgium and Germany, she has encountered mutual needs and challenges among fashion entrepreneurs that transcend national borders and the fashion system itself. During her career she spearheaded several initiatives for emerging creative talents and the industry at large, amongst them the establishment of a business department at MAD Brussels (the Brussels Center for Fashion & Design), the Madifesto – European Fashion Summits, the Belgian Fashion Awards, United Fashion project and later, on behalf of Fashion Council Germany, the New European Bauhaus Fashion conference. Motivated by a mission to catalyze the transformation of the fashion sector into a sustainable, future-proof industry, she ardently advocates for amplifying the voice of the creative-driven fashion industry on political, legislative, economic, and cultural fronts - both regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Zuzana obtained an MA in strategic management and, combined with experience in the creative sector, wanted to support the developing fashion segment in Slovakia. Later, together with the successful fashion designer, Dana Kleinert, she created a support strategy for the Slovak fashion industry and, since December 2019, she heads the Slovak Fashion Council (SFC). Since then, she has been creating a program and activities aimed at strengthening the segment both at home and abroad and looking for opportunities for cooperation in the domestic creative segment. Zuzana participated in the creation of a successful strategy for the European Capital of Culture - Trencin 2026, and SFC became a member of the European Fashion Alliance under her leadership

Ann Claes is co-founder of MASJIEN - the agency for fashion, sustainability and technology - where she offers consultancy, keynotes and project management services linked to innovation in the fashion industry. Ann is also co-organiser of the web3 conference in Belgium: WEB32 and co-founded digital fashion network MUTANI in 2021. She was active professionally in the fashion sector for more than 20 years as international business developer, sales director and sr. project manager for a.o. Veronique Branquinho, Delvaux, FNG Group, Flanders Fashion Institute and Flanders DC, always with a focus on strategy and partnerships. Today she shares her insights with the boards of Belgian retail groups CRG and Duror besides monthly columns for Belgian newspaper de Tijd. Pushing buttons and boundaries, where technology creates positive impact or lets creativity flourish. She is a techno-optimist and loves connecting people & ideas so one plus one becomes three.

Paolo Naldini, Director of Cittadellarte Fondazione Pistoletto, has a degree in Economics from the University of Turin with a thesis - in connection with the University of Architecture - on the regeneration of abandoned buildings and spaces. After work experiences in Italy and abroad, he returned to Italy to join his in-laws Pistoletto in the large Cittadellarte family in 2000 with his wife Armona. With a thing for writing, in the early 2000s he founded a web platform dedicated to exploring creative collaboration in storytelling of places and in places and the project of innerist photography, a tool to express and to grasp the forms, the ways and the degree of integration between the self and its context. He is the director of Cittadellarte where, among other things, he founded the Art of Demopraxy project, the system of practicing active presence as member of any single organisation a person is part of - from any sort of couple to all kinds of enterprises, associations, institutions - and at the same time perform connective visions and actions as people (demos). Demopraxy is based on the acknowledging that power (cratòs) is enacted by the people as impact generating decision-making rather than delegation. The Art of Demopraxy experiments with a social design prototypical methodology and a mythopoetical narrative whereby all components of societies participate concretely in performing government. He speaks at international conferences and seminars on the themes of art and culture, and writes for specialized and general publications.