IAF’s 29th World Fashion Convention has managed to create a well balanced mix of speakers covering subjects from different and crucial areas of the supply chain. Its speakers are a mix of Chinese apparel tycoons, European and US brands, world renowned specialists and top suppliers to our industry.
Of course, with this year's convention being held in Shanghai, IAF will pay full attention to China’s role on the world apparel stage. Because it has contributions from top Chinese brands and manufacturers as well as from European and US brands and retailers, delegates will get a broad inside view.
In the branding session for instance, Stefan Lange from Brax will tell how a mid-sized European brand is successful on the Chinese consumer market. Piergiorgio Del Santo will bring in the luxury market connection. Delegates will hear in the same session from a Chinese brand on Chinese retail developments.
This year, the technology session focuses on sustainable technology. The apparel industry needs practical answers to feed consumers’ demand for a more sustainable product. Andrew Olah is the owner and founder of the world renowned jeans trade show Kingpins. He brings top jeans brands and their top suppliers together in New York, LA, Mumbai, Shanghai and Amsterdam. He will share his deep insight into sustainable solutions on offer. Vincent Qin of Prosperity Textiles, a top denim supplier from China will explain how he can translate the demand for more sustainable fabrics into practice.
Even though the trend is downwards, China is of course still the world’s main production market for apparel. Delegates will hear from McKinsey’s Achim Berg what to expect in the coming years from the main production counties, China and Bangladesh. They will hear about opportunities in what may be a major production area in the future, Africa.
IAF is also very happy to announce that Lectra's CEO Daniel Harari will be giving a keynote speech this year. Lectra is the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials, fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials. As a key contributor to the way prestigious fashion brands optimizes their business processes for the past forty years, Lectra occupies a central position in the worldwide fashion industry.
In the context of stronger competition and pressure on manufacturing costs, what are the strategies that are being developed by world leaders in the new international environment, and by players under pressure?”
