The Digital Fashion Summit 2024, held in a hybrid format on January 30, was a pioneering event that marked the culmination of four years of research into the integration of 3D and digital technologies in the fashion industry. Organized under the theme «Bridging Innovation and Sustainability,» the summit aimed to explore the future of digital fashion, offering a comprehensive look at its current state and potential for transforming the fashion, textile, and apparel sectors.
Marianne Ping Huang, Associate Professor and Academic Developer at Aarhus University, and co-lead of the CRAF-IT4SD project, played a pivotal role in steering the summit’s agenda towards sustainable digital transformation. The conference attracted a global audience, comprising 300 online participants and 25 in-person attendees at the House of Creative Denmark, indicating the growing interest and relevance of digital fashion worldwide.
The summit offered a rich program, beginning with a welcome address by Aarhus University, highlighting the project’s achievements and setting the stage for discussions on the role of digital fashion in promoting sustainability and innovation. Notable speakers from the fashion and technology sectors shared their insights, including representatives from FINE CHAOS, Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA), and MANND, among others, as well as many individual experts. These discussions covered a broad range of topics, from virtual identity in the metaverse to sustainable business models, emphasizing the importance of digital tools in enhancing fashion’s environmental footprint.
One of the key highlights was the panel on virtual technologies and industry transformation, where experts debated the potential of digital fashion to revolutionize the industry by increasing exports, transforming business models, and accelerating digital transformation. The panel underscored the significance of integrating digital tools and AI in shaping the future of design, as echoed by partners from Seoul National University.
Sustainability was a recurring theme, with a dedicated session exploring how digital fashion can enable more sustainable production and consumption patterns. Speakers discussed strategies to influence customer behavior, foster inclusivity, and develop new business models that support a digitally-enabled, sustainable fashion industry. The conversations also touched on the challenges of techno-greenwashing, underscoring the need for responsible growth and innovation.
Education and skill development in the digital era were identified as critical for the industry’s future. The summit called for a focus on equipping designers, marketers, and leaders with the necessary skills to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital fashion. This includes understanding the latest trends, technologies, and the requirements for future-proofing companies in the face of changing consumer expectations and technological advancements.
In conclusion, the Digital Fashion Summit 2024 not only showcased the potential of digital technologies to transform the fashion industry but also served as a platform for fostering dialogue among key stakeholders. By highlighting the intersection of innovation and sustainability, the summit laid the groundwork for future developments in digital fashion, offering valuable insights and networking opportunities for participants eager to contribute to the industry’s sustainable and innovative future. For those unable to attend, registering for access to the recording offers a chance to partake in these crucial discussions and stay abreast of the latest trends and strategies in digital fashion.
The Digital Fashion Summit 2024’s focus on sustainable digital transformation aligns with the objectives of the CRAF-IT4SD project. By emphasizing innovation and sustainability, the summit embodied the project’s mission to explore and integrate digital technologies in fashion for sustainable development. This synergy highlights the importance of collaborative research and industry efforts to advance digital fashion sustainably.
More info about the Digital Fashion project: https://ldcluster.com/portfolio-item/digital-fashion-roundtables/