Fashion
AI to take centre stage at Global Sourcing Expo 2025 seminar
As part of the Expo’s Global Sourcing Seminar Program, the session ‘Growth, e-commerce and AI in Fashion’ on Tuesday, November 18 at 3 pm will bring together leading voices from across the fashion and lifestyle sectors to explore how technology and creativity are combining to drive smarter, more sustainable business growth.
AI’s transformative role in fashion will take centre stage at the Global Sourcing Expo’s seminar, ‘Growth, e-commerce and AI in Fashion,’ on November 18.
Led by Elizabeth Formosa with panellists Kelly Slessor and Christina Exie, the session explores how AI drives smarter, more sustainable growth, enhances creativity, and empowers brands—big or small—to innovate responsibly and reduce waste.
Led by Elizabeth Formosa, Founder of Fashion Equipped, the discussion features Kelly Slessor (Founder, The Ecommerce Tribe & Tribe Gen AI) and Christina Exie (Co-Founder, Stacked Studio), who together will share practical strategies and real-world examples that reflect the industry’s rapid digital evolution.
AI in Fashion: From Hype to Real-World Impact
Formosa says the conversation around AI in fashion has moved beyond the buzzwords:
“AI is changing how our entire industry operates, from design and sourcing to marketing and customer experience. Brands are no longer asking if they should use AI, but how to use it effectively and responsibly. It’s not just about technology; it’s about transformation and staying relevant in a rapidly evolving market.”
According to Formosa, AI is now integral to how fashion businesses grow and connect with their audiences.
“AI helps brands understand their customers on a much deeper level. It allows them to personalise experiences, predict demand, and make smarter, faster decisions. From optimising assortments to improving marketing spend, it’s about using data to support creativity, not replace it.”
Empowering Every Brand to Innovate
For smaller or emerging brands, Formosa believes that embracing AI doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
“Start simple and strategic. Identify one area where AI can make a real difference — whether that’s analysing sales data, creating content, or improving your customer experience — and start there. Keep it aligned to your goals and values, learn as you go, and build confidence through small wins.”
She also emphasises the importance of education and community:
“Attending events like the Global Sourcing Expo is a great way to gain practical insights and knowledge from leaders on the front line of our industry.”
Technology as a Tool for Creativity and Sustainability
Formosa describes this as an “incredible time to be in fashion,” with AI helping the industry work smarter and make more responsible choices.
“AI gives brands the clarity to make better decisions and the freedom to innovate with purpose. It’s helping reduce waste through smarter forecasting, improved inventory management, and better product development. By predicting demand more accurately, we can minimise overproduction — one of fashion’s biggest sustainability challenges.”
Actionable Insights for a Fast-Moving Market
The Global Sourcing Seminar Program is designed to complement the Expo’s vibrant show floor, offering attendees expert-led education sessions that turn ideas into action.
Elizabeth Formosa’s session promises to deliver practical, actionable takeaways across sourcing, brand development, digital strategy, and AI adoption.
“This session will empower attendees to take immediate action,” says Formosa. “You’ll leave with the clarity, confidence, and tools to grow and strengthen your business in today’s fast-moving market.”
Attendees are also encouraged to download Fashion Equipped’s free guide, Navigating the Global Sourcing Expo, which includes tips and checklists to help businesses prepare, engage with manufacturers effectively, and maximise results from their Expo experience.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Seventy-four per cent of top textile firms in the country adopted zero liquid discharge (ZLD) processes in fiscal 2024-25 (FY25), led by integrated players, while the industry’s waste recycling rate improved from 77 per cent in FY23 to 80 per cent in FY25, though waste generation rose by nearly 19 per cent.
Despite making strides in sustainability, India’s textile sector faces critical challenges in energy and waste management, according to a new report by the ICRA ESG Ratings Limited.
Both water and waste usage trends point towards the need for strengthening circularity in resource use.
The apparel, yarn and fabric segments are making gradual progress towards formal ESG governance frameworks.
Both water and waste usage trends point towards the need for strengthening circularity in resource use.
Maturing governance systems across the textile sector companies is another positive development. Fifty-seven per cent of integrated companies have environmental and social governance (ESG) committees; 71 per cent have set emission reduction targets.
The apparel, yarn and fabric segments are making gradual progress towards formal ESG governance frameworks.
However, challenges persist. Energy intensity remains high, particularly in the yarn and fabric segment, with renewable energy share being only 8 per cent in FY25, highlighting urgent need for decarbonisation, a release from the company said.
Only 21 per cent of companies disclose value chain emissions, indicating early-stage supply chain inclusion.
As global frameworks like the European Green Deal and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism sharpen focus on carbon-heavy industries, Indian textiles must accelerate decarbonisation and circularity to maintain competitiveness, the company added.
“The transition is under way, but the pace must quicken. Targeted tech investments and collaborative frameworks are key for long-term resilience,” ICRA ESG chief ratings officer Sheetal Sharad said.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
By
Bloomberg
Published
December 16, 2025
Chanel has tapped the human resources chief from Dutch insurer Aegon as the fashion and beauty company continues to reshuffle its top executive roles.
Elisabetta Caldera, 55, has been named global chief people and organization officer for Chanel Ltd., succeeding Claire Isnard, 64, starting next month, the company told Bloomberg News in a statement.
Isnard is retiring after more than 17 years at the group, which had a workforce of around 38,400 employees last year. Caldera will join Chanel’s leadership team, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Leena Nair, and be based in London.
Caldera spent more than four years as global chief human resources officer at Aegon Ltd. where she was also part of the insurer’s executive committee. The Italian executive previously spent 17 years at Vodafone Group Plc in various HR roles until 2021 when she joined Aegon.
Under CEO Nair, the former head of HR at Unilever Plc, Chanel has been rebuilding the roster of top managers at the company as an older guard retires.
Chanel, known for its No. 5 fragrance, is privately owned by the billionaire brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer whose fortunes are estimated at about $43 billion each, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The company, founded in Paris but headquartered in London, reports its financial performance once a year, generally around late May. Revenue fell 4.3% to $18.7 billion in 2024 on a comparative basis with operating profit sliding by almost a third partly due to heavy advertising spending and a rise in hiring.
Published
December 16, 2025
Iconix’s entire brand portfolio and related royalty revenue will once again be fully consolidated within its operating structure, creating a unified brand platform representing approximately $6 billion in global retail sales.
The company announced on Monday that it has completed an upsizing of its existing credit facility with affiliates of Apollo to discharge the company’s securitization financing facility, which has been outstanding since 2012. Iconix expects to complete the transaction by January 2026.
The securitization financing facility was secured by a pledge of North American brand intellectual property and licensing royalties for several of Iconix’s brands, including Ed Hardy, Starter, Danskin, Ocean Pacific, London Fog, Mossimo, Zoo York, Rocawear, and Iconix’s portfolio of home brands.
The retirement of the securitization facility marks a significant milestone in Iconix’s turnaround and resurgence following its take-private transaction in 2021. The company will now be able to pursue strategic alternatives involving the North American rights of its brands, including targeted investments and partnerships that were previously restricted.
“We have always believed that it is extremely important to reunite the North American brand rights under a cohesive operating structure in the US, which is obviously an incredibly influential market for our brands globally,” said Bob Galvin, chief executive officer, Iconix International Inc.
“For the first time in nearly a decade, and since we took over the business with our partners at Lancer Capital, we will have the opportunity to fully exploit all of our brand rights in the most optimal way.”
Since management changes in late 2018, Iconix has executed a significant turnaround, including improving its cost structure, deleveraging its balance sheet, repositioning its global brand portfolio, including acquisitions such as Hoodrich in 2023 and Salt Life in 2024. These efforts have been carried out in partnership with Apollo over the past three years.
“This expanded commitment to Iconix reflects the strong performance of the business and its brands. We’ve worked closely with the management team for several years and are pleased to support this transaction, helping to position Iconix to fully leverage its unified global brand platform,” added Kurt Hoffman, managing director, Apollo.
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