València once again served as a vibrant hub for sustainable fashion innovation during the fourth edition of Future of Fashion 2025, held on 16 October at La Harinera, the city’s celebrated Innovation Capital.
The event, organised by the Fundació del Disseny de la Comunitat Valenciana under the motto “From Ideas to Action,” united leading voices—from industry pioneers and designers to media and content creators—to explore the pressing challenges and promising opportunities shaping fashion’s future.
In an era when sustainability risked slipping off the agenda, Future of Fashion 2025 forcefully reaffirmed that environmental and social responsibility must be woven into the very DNA of fashion enterprises.
Xavi Calvo, director of the Fundació del Disseny, reflected: “Design is a powerful tool to create a world where we live in harmony with nature instead of destroying it. Fashion’s evolution towards regeneration and recycling fills me with hope for the future.”
Voices of Change and Vision
The conference’s opening was helmed by Mayte de la Iglesia, a trailblazing model and stylist who emphasised transparency and legislative frameworks as pillars for lasting sustainable shifts.
“Fashion has always reflected its time and even anticipated it,” she noted, “but today, consumers demand full transparency, and brands must meet clear and evolving sustainability standards.”
Patricia Moreno, curator of the event, sounded a cautionary note about the global context: “Sustainability is no longer a trend but an essential commitment. We face complex geopolitical and economic realities, yet this forum shows that those involved in fashion are ready to lead.”
Fashion designer Faustine Steinmetz offered an urgent critique on overproduction and waste, reminding attendees that “between 80,000 and 150,000 million garments are produced annually, with 10 to 40 per cent never sold. Most are worn just 7 to 10 times. This throwaway culture drains skills and pollutes, especially in second-hand markets overseas.”
Embracing a Circular and Regenerative Future
Discussions highlighted circular business models as game changers, with emphasis on repair, resale, and responsible design. Coral Adrados, Sustainability Manager at Blue Banana, stressed the need for honesty and education: “We aim to inspire our community to adopt mindful consumption, making sustainability a core brand value, not just marketing.”
Creative minds like Horacio González-Alemán, co-founder of Gospel Estudios, underscored the importance of slowing consumption: “We ask customers to pause and reflect if they truly need a garment. Buying is political—a moment of responsibility and intention.”
Engaging New Generations and Technologies
The role of technology was also spotlighted. Javier Fernández Poyo, innovation expert and Pitch Clinic mentor, celebrated the emerging startups that bring fresh energy to sustainable fashion: “Entrepreneurs willing to embrace humility and continual learning are the ones shaping a resilient, responsible industry.”
In parallel with dynamic discussions, immersive brand storytelling was championed as a vital tool for connecting with conscious consumers, particularly among Gen Z.
Collective Hope for a Responsible Fashion Future
Closing reflections captured a sense of hopeful responsibility shared by all participants. The Future of Fashion 2025 community pledged to accelerate collaboration, innovation, and education, embedding sustainability as a non-negotiable foundation for fashion’s trajectory.
Moreno poignantly stated: “Radical hope means standing firm as enthusiasts not only of fashion but of climate and ethical unity—a fusion of aesthetics and ethics shaping tomorrow.”
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