In 2025, Jeanologia celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of innovation and leadership in transforming the textile industry. The Spain-based company commemorated this milestone with an event — the NextGen Summit — bringing together for the first time the world’s leading denim manufacturers under one roof. With a significant representation of global production, the summit served as a platform to inspire, motivate, and empower the next generation of leaders from family-owned businesses in the denim industry, equipping them with the necessary tools to tackle future challenges with a sustainable, technological, and collaborative vision.
Held at Jeanologia’s headquarters in Valencia and other key textile industry locations in Spain, the event was a pivotal meeting point where future leaders exchanged ideas and knowledge with brands and industry experts. For the first time, the sector’s leading companies gathered to discuss the industry’s future, addressing key challenges such as sustainability, digitalization and automation.
The NextGen Summit program included diverse formats designed to maximize learning and interaction, featuring inspirational talks where industry leaders shared their experience and vision, with a special focus on generational transition; interactive workshops exploring innovative solutions for industry challenges; and open debates fostering dialogue among key players in the sector.
One of the standout moments of the event was the keynote by Bart Sights, head of Innovation at Levi’s, who inspired attendees with his disruptive vision and industry trajectory. From his early days working alongside his father as a supplier to his current role leading innovation at one of the most influential denim brands, Sights emphasized the importance of bringing bold ideas to the table. His message encouraged participants to embrace change and leverage new technologies to accelerate transformation.
Additionally, a visit to Mango’s headquarters was one of the most emotional and inspiring moments of the program, as it paid tribute to the memory of its founder, Isak Andic. During the visit, Andrés Fernández, head of Sustainability & Sourcing, shared Mango’s vision, objectives, and action plans for sustainability, sparking a highly enriching discussion for both parties.
An inspiring session was also held at another major Spanish retailer, where participants not only gained insight into its strategic approach and vision for the future of the industry but also engaged in an open debate on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
A collaborative and digital future
Beyond learning, the NextGen Summit has been a catalyst for collaboration, creating a space where the industry can learn, share, and evolve together.
Through this event, young leaders have established lasting relationships and made concrete commitments to advance toward a more responsible and efficient model. The community formed at this summit will continue to stay connected and exchange ideas beyond the event itself, reinforcing Jeanologia’s mission to build a more collaborative and transparent textile ecosystem.
The beginning of a global movement
“The NextGen Summit is just the beginning of a global movement. We have built a community where the next generations openly share challenges and solutions, motivating each other to accelerate change in a disruptive, responsible, and collaborative way. Now, it is up to us to take on the challenge of transforming the industry with a new mindset, new ways of working, and a commitment to a better future,” stated Pepa Silla, who represents the young leadership guiding Jeanologia’s vision toward a more innovative and sustainable model.
Jeanologia is firmly committed to empowering the next generation of leaders, who will play a crucial role in the industry’s transformation. With the NextGen Summit as a starting point, the company plans to continue organizing future editions of this event and positioning it as a benchmark in the transition towards a more digital, automated, and sustainable industry.
