The Global Fashion Summit, a renowned international forum for sustainable fashion based in Denmark, is set to take place in China next month.

This special edition, titled Global Fashion Summit: Shanghai Gala, will be held on November 7, coinciding with the China International Import Expo (CIIE), according to a press release issued by the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) on Monday.

The event, hosted by GFA and Chinamind NEXT, would unite local and international industry stakeholders for an evening of insightful discussions, followed by a celebratory gala dinner.

GFA is a non-profit dedicated to accelerating positive change in the fashion industry by inspiring, educating, influencing, and mobilising stakeholders.

Since 2009, GFA has led the sustainability movement, hosting the Global Fashion Summit in key industry regions worldwide.

As the first event of its kind in China, the Global Fashion Summit: Shanghai Gala will expand on the theme from June’s Copenhagen Edition, ‘Unlocking The Next Level.’

With sustainability deadlines fast approaching, the fashion industry stands at a crucial crossroads, the release said

Reaching the next level of impact requires stronger collaboration and the exchange of evidence-based progress to tackle existing challenges, it mentioned.

The gala dinner will set the scene ahead of GFA’s participation in CIIE (China International Import Expo) on November 8- a forum renowned for its focus on sustainable innovation technology.

Federica Marchionni, CEO, GFA, will deliver a keynote address during the CIIE to an audience of esteemed leaders that will showcase how innovation and emerging technologies can drive sustainability in lifestyle sectors and advance the industry towards climate goals.

China plays a pivotal role in driving this transformation as the world’s largest exporter of readymade garments in 2023, with a 31.6 per cent market share and exports valued at $165 billion, China’s influence is undeniable, GFA release said.

It also said that the rapid growth of Chinese ultra-fast fashion brands was reshaping consumer buying habits, while the country’s luxury market has nearly doubled since 2019.

The Global Fashion Summit: Shanghai Gala will focus on fostering collaboration across the fashion value chain, addressing critical environmental and social issues, bridging global market differences, closing information gaps, and sharing innovative solutions.

The gala dinner, alongside participation in the CIIE, will merge Chinamind NEXT’s strong regional influence and execution capabilities in China with GFA’s global sustainability expertise and thought leadership, aiming to inspire and drive meaningful action.

‘We are glad to be bringing our established Global Fashion Summit to Shanghai – China’s leading city for fashion – with the ambition to inspire action on sustainability and mobilise more alliances across the global fashion ecosystem,’ , CEO of GFA Federica Marchionni said.

Global Fashion Summit: Shanghai Gala will lay the foundation for further activations in China and is a critical step in the industry’s journey to a net positive industry for people and the planet, she added.

Chinamind NEXT CEO Lynn Fu, said China has established itself as the world’s foremost market for apparel and textiles, playing a pivotal role in setting industry trends and influencing consumer actions.

‘We are confident that the Global Fashion Summit held in Shanghai in collaboration with GFA will open up further opportunities for Chinese enterprises to expand internationally, for international brands to establish a stronger presence in the Chinese market, for the strategic investment of patient capital, and for the establishment of a shared vision of sustainability between the East and the West,’ Lynn Fu said.

Launched by GFA in Copenhagen in 2009, the Global Fashion Summit has, over the past 15 years, become the central platform for decision-makers from around the world.

It serves as a hub for agenda-setting discussions and presentations on the most pressing environmental, social and ethical challenges facing both the fashion industry and the planet.