Working session #1 SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY: IS GREEN THE NEW BLACK?

ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

Sustainability in the fashion industry: is green the new black?

Presented by: Intellectual Property, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Commission; T.R.A.D.E. Commission; Labour Law Commission; Environmental and Energy Law Commission

Working session #1

DESCRIPTION

LOCATION

Thursday, 5 September

09:00 – 12:00

Gonzaga+Pallavicini+Medici room; Level B-C (-2 floor)

DESCRIPTION

Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the sustainability of their favourite fashion brands; the materials being used, manufacturing methods, working conditions and supply chain practices. By contrast, the demand for fast fashion and lower costs has never been higher.

The session will analyse how investing in sustainability may give companies a competitive edge. External speakers as well as AIJA speakers will discuss a wide range of topics, including the effective use of sustainability claims, supply chain sustainability and decent working conditions, how companies can establish or strengthen their reputation for sustainability, or intellectual property protection for sustainable brand equity. Finally, there will also be a discussion on RE100, a global initiative uniting 100+ influential businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity. The session will be the right place to find out more on the latest ‘it’ accessory, sustainability.

Detailed schedule:

09:00 - 09:20 Introduction

Is green the new black?
What is sustainable fashion?

Q&A with the audience, moderated by:

Cristina Hernandez-Martì Perez, Hernandez Martì Abogados (Spain)
Benedikt Rohrssen, Taylor Wessing (Germany)

09:20 - 09:45 The challenge of sustainability for a global fashion brand

Speaker: Giorgio Ravasio, Vivienne Westwood (Italy)

09:45 - 10:10 An insight view from a boutique sustainable Scandinavian fashion brand

Speaker: Stephan Rosenkilde, Underprotectio (Denmark)

10:10 - 10:30 Sustainability in energy consumption - the RE 100 model

Speaker: Eoin Cassidy, Mason Hayes & Curran (Ireland)

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 - 11:45 The key tools for sustainable fashion 'from factory to catwalk': People, Materials, Transparency, Technology, Cooperation, Waste/Environment

Panel discussion:

Michel Segers, Flinn (Belgium)
Kato Aerts, Lydian (Belgium)
Donata Cordone, Portolano Cavallo (Italy)
Sergio Calderara, Green Network (Italy)

Moderator: Benedikt Rohrssen, Taylor Wessing (Germany)

The focus will be on how to ensure:

1. Sustainability and labour

Sustainable working conditions and sustainability in employment policies
Sustainability as part of a strategy for employer branding

2. A sustainable supply chain

Supply chain transparency (factual and/or legal (contractual) and technological (blockchain) tools, auditing provisions to ensure compliance)
Circular economy (environmental policies: contractual provisions requiring sustainability in the supply chain agreement)
Product returns
Fair trade (adherence to legal regulations and voluntary standards; Incentive programs: bonus for compliance, contractual penalties in case of non-compliance)

3. Sustainability in the fashion industry: IP aspects

IP and new production models (safeguarding of IP rights in terms of the value of a sustainable brand and the use of technology)
Unfair competition (current lack of legal thresholds and case law from an unfair competition perspective)

4. Sustainable energy

How to ensure that as an energy operator I may grant my client to be sustainable also when it comes to the energy it uses

11:45 - 12:00 Sustainability as a marketing factor and competitive parameter

Panel discussion:

Stephan Rosenkilde, Underprotection (Denmark)
Anda Mize, European Lingerie Group (Latvia)

Moderator: Rikke Mynster Johansen, Dansk Mode & Textil (Denmark)

SPEAKERS & MODERATORS

Giorgio Ravasio

Vivienne Westwood, Italy

Speaker

Michel Segers

Flinn, Belgium

Speaker

Sergio Calderara

Green Network, Italy

Speaker

Stephan Rosenkilde

Underprotection, Denmark

Speaker

Kato Aerts

Lydian, Belgium

Speaker

Anda Mize

European Lingerie Group, Latvia

Speaker

Eoin Cassidy

Mason Hayes & Curran, Ireland

Speaker

Donata Cordone

Portolano Cavallo, Italy

Speaker

Benedikt Rohrssen

Taylor Wessing, Germany

Moderator

Rikke Mynster Johansen

Dansk Mode & Textil, Denmark

Moderator

GENERAL REPORTERS