Page 9 - August-September-2018

08 09
Sustainability Conference in

Milan to discuss challenges News

faced by the textile sector

Sustainable apparel and textile production will be the center of attention in Milan as the two leading
companies - bluesign technologies and Textile Exchange collaborate to hold five days back to back
conferences. Industry leading brands as well as retailers will convene to debate the foremost necessary
sustainability challenges faced by the textile sector.

Mr Jill Dumain, Chief Executive Officer at bluesign technologies said, “We are pleased to cooperate
with Textile Exchange and connect professionals around the world to drive the sustainability
transformation in the industry. The 5th bluesign® conference will offer plenty of opportunities for match
making and networking with other attendees and sharing your business prospects with like-minded
colleagues in the industry.”

Ms LaRhea Pepper, Managing Director of Textile Exchange commented, “Textile Exchange recognizes
the importance of collaboration in order to accelerate sustainability in fashion, and this year’s Textile
Exchange conference is noteworthy for highlighting collaborative initiatives transforming our industry in
more sustainable ways. We offer content for every level of expertise and every role in the value chain –
from our Basics Day to our Round Tables and Working Groups to our more expert plenaries and
breakout sessions.”

Mr Simonetta Carbonaro, consumer psychologist as well as trade and consumer industry visionary will
open the conference by focusing on the great challenges posed by transformation and why
transparency matters in today’s society along with its connection to responsible industry. In addition,
non-textile case studies will provide insights beyond the industry in an effort to gather new ideas while
supporting common ones. Traceability and the need for transformation will also be addressed. A
high-level discussion will explore finance in sustainability and additional topics important to a CEO’s
agenda while proving the business case of sustainability to re-design today’s business models. The
blue way will be presented as part of the transformation. Head of the Ethical Fashion Initiative of the
International Trade Centre, Ms Simone Cipriani, will present a high-energy closing keynote speech on
how ethical fashion can be achieved in the most challenging locations.

High level discussions will be featured on Sustainable development goals, circularity, fiber and
materials, water and sustainability in the luxury sector and micro-plastics in the Textile Exchange’s
Textile Sustainability Conference. The conference is anticipated to draw in over 500 attendees from
across the textile industry. Confirmed speakers include: Pacific Institute President, Jason Morrison, on
the apparel sector’s water stewardship opportunity; World Resources Institute Research Analyst,
Deborah Drew, on how apparel and textiles can drive the circular economy; Forum for the Future Chief
Executive, Sally Uren, on new reports to drive sustainability strategies; Hohenstein Institute America
Managing Director, Ben Mead, on innovative models for financially rewarding sustainable farm
practices, and much more. The conference–designed for professionals in CSR, sourcing and supply
chains, product and business development and design, education and advocacy–offers opportunities
to learn about real sustainability solutions that drive change through the value chain and modify the
industry’s future.

August/September 2018 August/September 2018