FashionKIC, a pan-European initiative focused on supporting innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange within sustainable fashion, participated in Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2026 through the Innovation Forum, joining a curated showcase of solution providers working to accelerate the industry’s sustainable transition.
Held at the Copenhagen Concert Hall from 5–7 May, the Summit, a leading annual forum on sustainability in fashion, convened more than 1,000 stakeholders from across the fashion ecosystem for three days of agenda-setting dialogue, practical knowledge exchange, and collective action under the theme “Building Resilient Futures”.
Presented by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), a non-profit organisation accelerating the transition to a net-positive fashion industry, the Summit explored how the sector can move beyond ambition toward measurable progress amid growing economic uncertainty, regulatory complexity, and environmental urgency.
Over 140 speakers took to the stage, including senior representatives from Kering, eBay, Chanel, LVMH, Pandora, the European Parliament, Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A, H&M Group, RE&UP, Vaada Hope Foundation, Arc’teryx, Visa, CARE Bangladesh, Patagonia, and many more.
Programming included keynote addresses, panel discussions, interactive workshops, case studies, and closed-door leadership roundtables focused on strengthening collaboration and advancing practical solutions across the value chain.
The Innovation Forum brought together a curated group of solution providers spanning the fashion value chain, from next-generation materials to end-of-life technologies. Through a tailored matchmaking programme, the platform facilitated direct connections between innovators and key industry stakeholders, including brands, retailers, manufacturers, and investors.
For FashionKIC, the Innovation Forum provided an opportunity to engage directly with the people and organisations driving sustainable transformation across Europe’s fashion ecosystem.
Growing Demand for Pan-European Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Conversations throughout the Summit highlighted two recurring challenges for emerging designers and innovators: access to funding and stronger opportunities for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. These needs sit at the core of FashionKIC’s mission to support collaboration, innovation, and learning across borders.
Discussions also reinforced the importance of pan-European collaboration in advancing fashion’s sustainability transition. Different regions across Europe bring distinct strengths in areas such as material innovation, manufacturing expertise, policy development, and creative practice.
FashionKIC aims to connect these strengths through a shared platform where collaboration, knowledge exchange, and cross-border innovation can drive meaningful and lasting impact across the European fashion ecosystem.
Learn more about FashionKIC and how the initiative supports collaboration and innovation across Europe’s fashion ecosystem at https://fashionkic.eu/.
About FashionKIC
FashionKIC is a co-funded by the European Union project that aims to build a pan-European Knowledge Innovation Community for sustainable fashion. The project focuses on fostering collaboration, innovation, and skills development to support the green and digital transition of the fashion industry.
Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union under the Grant Agreement 101256183. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them