BRICS+ Fashion Summit: Shining a spotlight on emerging markets

Models strutting the runway. Picture: Supplied.

Models strutting the runway. Picture: Supplied.

Published Nov 23, 2023

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Like music, fashion is one thing that unites people. It’s a universal language used as a means for expression and creativity.

And from November 28 until December 2, fashion associations’ representatives, media, industry professionals and academic experts are set to attend the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, Russia.

They will be joined by entrepreneurs, designers, buyers, fashion schools and universities’ representatives.

“Today, fashion remains the universal language of cross-border communication and a delightful creative industry and young fashion stars continue to be born in it,” said the organisers of the summit.

They explained that the objective of the BRICS+ Fashion Summit “is to give fashion talents the opportunity to express themselves as effectively as possible, relying not on international fashion centres, but on their emerging markets.”

The fashion industry is one of the biggest sectors in the world, estimated to be valued at $1.7 trillion globally.

“The goal of the BRICS+ Fashion Summit is to bring together industry participants in one event and place to make strategic decisions, identify common problems, and create a permanent community.”

“The cross-communications toolkit will become a starting point in strengthening the business and economic position of countries in the field of fashion, and will help promote the work of fashion industry specialists worldwide,” added the organisers.

The summit will feature an array of fashion activities, including the business programme, B2B Showroom, fashion shows, educational events and networking activities.

Models strutting the runway. Picture: Supplied.

The Business programme

The Business Program counts on the participation of key representatives, including Yang Jian, the executive chairman of China Fashion Association, as well as the founder and chairwoman of Islamic Fashion and Design Council (UAE) Alia Khan.

They will be joined by Paras Bairoliya, a senior member of the Board of Governors at the Fashion Design Council of India and Mubashar Naseer Butt, the chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association.

The group’s discussion is set to centre around international cooperation, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation.

Within the Business Program, a recurrent theme emerges—namely, the democratisation of fashion and the establishment of new centres in the fashion industry across BRICS nations.

Fashion shows

Throughout the five-day Summit, Moscow is set to be transformed into a vibrant tapestry of cultures.

This is as designers from 12 different countries will take to the runway to showcase their collections.

Some of the designers who will be showcasing include South Africa’s very own David Tlale, Sadaels from Argentina and Lucas Leão from Brazil.

They will be joined by Riteshkumar, Khanijo, Naushad Ali and Shruti Sancheti from India, and 陳宇CHNNYU from China.

B2B showroom

The Parking Gallery in Zaryadye, at the summit in Russia, will be turned into a showroom.

This is where over 130 brands and designers from various continents will interact with buyers.

Over 100 buyers have applied to take part in the event, including those from China, India, and Russia.

The lineup of brands showcased in the showroom includes those from Argentina, Russia, India, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa and many others.

Educational programme

The educational programme will also be five days long, where professors, experts and lecturers from leading fashion international facilities will perform the best lectures out of their fashion courses.

It will be more like a short course, teaching fashion students and emerging designers the ins and outs of the industry in order to help them succeed in creating sustainable brands.