The BRICS+ Fashion Summit, held as part of Moscow Fashion Week, gathered designers, researchers, and industry leaders from BRICS and BRICS+ countries to exchange ideas on sustainable fashion and international cooperation.
Organized by the Cultural Fund for the Development of Fashion and Design with support from the Moscow Government, the three-day summit featured plenary discussions, round tables, lectures, and intensive courses. Central themes included clean technologies for sustainable practices, cross-border cooperation among designers, and the growing influence of fashion on the global agenda.
A major focus was the role of fashion in addressing climate change. Brazilian researcher and designer Luciana Duarte highlighted innovations in eco-friendly textiles:
“We have been developing materials that absorb carbon dioxide and perform a type of photosynthesis, releasing oxygen. Today, most fabrics must be linked to the circular economy, meaning they should be made from recycled materials,” she told TV BRICS.
Luciana also encouraged designers to strengthen cooperation through scholarships, supplier fairs, and internships, making sustainability a collective effort.
African fashion took center stage with its artisanal techniques and traditional fabrics. Ivorian designer Aristide Loua emphasized the Global South’s cultural assets:
“We have diverse fabric production techniques and rich traditions in fashion design and jewellery making. The summit is a strategic space to establish partnerships and compete with major global brands.”
The event also spotlighted Brazilian creativity. Paulo Borges, founder of São Paulo Fashion Week, noted the importance of cultural diversity in forging new creative geopolitics:
“Brazilian fashion, with its intangible wealth, also carries happiness. This exchange with Russia and BRICS countries can spark a new era of innovation and cultural rapprochement.”
With its strong focus on sustainability, tradition, and international collaboration, the BRICS+ Fashion Summit positioned itself as a global platform for shaping the future of fashion.
