IAF announces program of World Fashion Convention

The program of the IAF’s 29th World Fashion Convention is now

The program of the IAF’s 29th World Fashion Convention is now known.

We have managed to create a well balanced mix of speakers covering subjects from different and crucial areas of the supply chain. Our 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, we will pay full attention to China’s role on the world apparel stage. Because we have 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 our branding session for instance, Stefan Lange from Brax will tell us how a mid-sized European brand is successful on the Chinese consumer market. Piergiorgio Del Santo will bring in the luxury market connection. We will hear in the same session from a Chinese brand on Chinese retail developments.

This year, our technology session focusses 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 with us 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. We will hear from McKinsey’s Achim Berg what to expect in the coming years from the main production counties, China and Bangladesh. We will hear about opportunities in what may be a major production area in the future, Africa. And we will hear from again a Chinese producer and a buyer what their vision on sourcing is.

Daniel Harari

We are 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.
At the head of the company since 1991, Daniel Harari is a graduate of the École Polytechnique (Paris, France) and has an MBA from HEC (Paris, France). He travels the world all year long and is a good observer of how fast market and business models are changing.

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?”

Click here to read the full program!

The 29th IAF World Fashion Convention is sponsored (as per today) by:

Top Partner: Texhong Textile Group.

Lectra, SBS Zippers, A&E, Centre Testing International (Shenzhen) Limited, Cherry Group Co Ltd., Messe Frankfurt, TAL Apparel Ltd, Alvanon, GT Nexus, Chengfeng Group, IFTF, Jiansu Sainty Corp. Ltd, Shanghai Silk Group, Gerber Techonology, DHL.

Our mediapartners: Men’s Fashion Today, The Fashion Shop, Just-Style, FashionUnited, Inside Fashion, L’Officiel, China Textile Group, International Business Daily