Fashion
Data and traceability drive discussions at the 12th “4sustainability” event
Translated by
Nazia BIBI KEENOO
Published
October 7, 2025
The 12th annual 4sustainability event took place on Friday, October 3, at Eurojersey’s headquarters in Caronno Pertusella, Italy. Ympact—an ecosystem that connects brands with their supply chains to track product and process data, monitor compliance, reduce environmental impacts, and optimize operations—organized the gathering.
Ympact, founded by Francesca Rulli and Massimo Brandellero, leads the YHub Group, which counts Foro delle Arti (the holding company of Brunello Cucinelli SpA), Matteo Marzotto, Federico Marchetti, Giorgio Armani SpA, and Fondazione del Tessile Italiano among its shareholders.
More than 500 participants attended in person and online. Speakers centered their sessions on data, traceability, new technologies, and harmonized methods for sustainable fashion.
Eurojersey’s general manager, Andrea Crespi, hosted the event.
“We are proud to host the annual 4sustainability event at Eurojersey, sharing a united message on sustainability with more than 500 players in the Italian textile supply chain,” Crespi said. “Tracking and monitoring production is now fundamental: the added value lies not in what we do but in how we do it inside our factories, a heritage to be protected and preserved for today and for tomorrow. What is produced in our country is expensive because it is made with quality materials, by skilled people and with the best technologies. If we do not understand the importance of this value, the Italian supply chain risks succumbing.”
After opening remarks from Rulli and Crespi, Valentina Boschetto Doorly, associate partner in Italy at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, presented four megatrends shaping the era—climate change, demographic shifts, technology and artificial intelligence, and deglobalization—and explored their implications for the fashion industry.
“We are in a destabilizing period, which I call the new world disorder; after a historical era of great stability, in which the future was synonymous with progress, today the future is synonymous with anxiety,” Boschetto Doorly said. “The balance is shifting: the economic weight of the new technological economy is in China, the demographic weight is in Africa, which will grow from 1.256 billion in 2017 to 2.528 billion in 2050, doubling its population, while Europe’s population declines. Another reason for destabilization is the transfer of wealth: money is moving from west to east and from east to south, from the real economy to the financial economy (worth ten times the real one), and from the middle classes to the upper classes. In Italy, the largest economic transfer in the country’s history has begun; by 2050, 40 percent of the Italian population will be over 60, while young people are increasingly going abroad—almost 6 million in 2024.”
She also addressed fashion’s role: “Fashion today is bulimic, the life cycle of products is very short, and we no longer know how to distinguish the price of things from their value. The world is regurgitating back at us what we have done to it. Fashion today must be a conscious choice that recognizes our role as guardians of our world.”
Rulli and Brandellero presented Ympact’s vision through the tagline “Tracing Fashion to a Responsible Future.” They emphasized how tracing data, processes, and supply chains enables responsible production models based on harmonized frameworks supported by technology and expert implementation.
Ympact’s system facilitates the adoption of the Digital Product Passport (DPP), mandated by the European Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR), to help brands protect products from counterfeiting—an industry worth $2 billion annually. Michele Zuccheri, head of business development at Certilogo, and Carolynn Bernier, coordinator of the CIRPASS-2 consortium, discussed this topic in a session moderated by Martina Schiuma, head of global strategy and partnerships at Ympact.
A panel then examined how systematic data collection can drive genuine improvements.
Elisa Gavazza, southern Europe and quality management director at ZDHC; Daniele Massetti, regional lead for Italy at the Apparel Impact Institute; Alessandro Barrani, industrial sustainability manager at Prada; and Elisa Santi, sustainability manager at Beste, debated the question in a session moderated by Ester Falletta, technical director at Consorzio Physis and consultant for Ympact.
“With Ympact we are running an excellent project on raw material traceability. This has an impact on the day-to-day relationship between brands and suppliers. Data should not be seen as brand control over the supply chain but as something that strengthens trust and brings transparency,” Barrani of Prada said. “We must explain to suppliers why we collect data and give them the technical tools to do so. In this way, the value of data will become increasingly evident and we will see tangible improvements for the entire ecosystem in terms of competitiveness.”
Santi, representing Beste—a Tuscan company specializing in luxury fabrics and garments and part of the Hind Group—shared the supplier’s perspective:
“When we received requests from brands to be more transparent, we welcomed them as an opportunity. We are a highly vertical company and already had this data; we just weren’t sharing it. In addition to market demands, new regulations have also emerged; it was essential to move in this direction. We adopted a platform with Ympact that enabled us to share data more simply and effectively, giving us greater control over our processes and allowing us to provide end consumers with usable, real-time, and up-to-date data.
The biggest challenge for us has been involving the supply chain—upstream suppliers—who have experienced this as an imposition; we have tried to convey the message that it is also a goal of improvement for them. At Hind Group level, we have a dedicated team that conducts audits at our suppliers’ facilities, involving them and explaining the importance of sharing information. Traceability today should not be seen as an obligation, nor as a finish line; there must be a change in mindset, a greater awareness of data.”
The discussion on supply chain due diligence compared consultancy insights from Franco Amelio, partner at Deloitte, with the perspective of a major brand, Giorgio Armani. Rossella Ravagli, sustainability director at Giorgio Armani, emphasized that brands must commit fully to supplier monitoring systems. To strengthen its long-standing practices, the Armani Group has streamlined its supplier base, imposed clear contractual clauses, and conducted unannounced audits.
“In our contracts, we ask not to go beyond the second tier of supply, because we know that the longer the supply chain, the greater the risks, due, for example, to unauthorized subcontractors. Audits are necessary, even unannounced ones; they are indispensable and should be written into the contractual clauses,” Ravagli said.
“At the governance level, it is essential to adopt and share a code that protects human rights, with a set of requirements laid down in writing and accepted across all tiers of the supply chain, and then properly implemented. The fragmentation of our precious supply chain is a characteristic that is distinctly Italian; suppliers must be protected. At Armani, we have implemented a new tool, building on existing capabilities and accelerating an improvement process that was already underway. It is a technology platform we are developing with Ympact, starting from a solid foundation we already had, thanks to Mr. Armani, who has always encouraged teams to collaborate and share. All suppliers are already on the platform, and in addition to on-site audits, we can also analyze the data. Engagement, involvement, and training of suppliers are essential.”
Speakers emphasized that monitoring systems must be standardized and harmonized to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Without harmonization, suppliers face overwhelming and repetitive requests that lack value. Guided by this principle, Ympact launched 4s ETHIC, a new 4sustainability pillar that enables suppliers to certify their compliance—environmental, social, and reputational—in line with market, due diligence, and legal protocols.
Luca Sburlati, president of Confindustria Moda; Paolo Tondi, Italy certification sales manager at Bureau Veritas; and Andrea Sianesi, professor of operations and supply chain management at Politecnico di Milano, discussed this topic.
“In the first six months of this year, exports fell by 3–4 percent, a figure we expected. What was perhaps not expected is a 6 percent rise in imports, and in particular, a 20 percent increase in products from China. Ultra-fast fashion, whose products are not subject to duties as they are priced below €150, is invading our homes at a dramatic speed,” Sburlati said. “We must pay close attention to what is happening and take countermeasures, creating a supply chain partnership. Of the €90 billion value of textile, fashion, and leather goods, €60 billion is generated by the supply chain; we cannot afford to lose it. Responsibility rests with everyone; today’s attack on Made in Italy is evident.”
Speakers also highlighted the “Memorandum of Understanding for the Legality of Subcontracting in Fashion Production Supply Chains,” signed in May at the Milan Prefecture.
Sianesi explained that collaboration among stakeholders can turn Made in Italy into a global leader in social sustainability by protecting responsible businesses and isolating non-compliant players. He stressed that for this mechanism to succeed in market terms, stakeholders also need incentives that reward sustainable production.
Matteo Ward, CEO of Inside Out Fashion Textiles & Home, closed the event: “In this moment of destabilization, we must find the courage we have always shown in times of crisis to rewrite the rules, without waiting for someone else to do it. To escape the self-constructed cage that forces a choice between sustainability and the status quo, we must remember who we are; raising awareness, collective action, and strong leadership are essential.”
Bringing the event to a close was Matteo Ward, CEO of Inside Out Fashion Textiles & Home: “In this moment of destabilisation, we must find the courage we have always shown in times of crisis to rewrite the rules, without waiting for someone else to do it. To escape the self-constructed cage that forces a choice between sustainability and the status quo, we must remember who we are; raising awareness, collective action and strong leadership are essential.”
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The partnership is rooted in a shared mindset: ambition, world-class performance, global relevance, and a bold confidence that defines both BOSS and the Australian Open. As a cornerstone of BOSS’s cultural strategy, the collaboration creates a powerful platform to connect with fans at scale, unlock new audiences, and showcase the full world of BOSS through its collections, ambassadors, and experiences.
BOSS will become Official Lifestyle Outfitter of the Australian Open from 2027, marking a key step in its sport and culture strategy.
The brand will dress up to 4,000 staff and elevate on- and off-court style through tailored looks, activations and merchandise, strengthening its global presence in tennis while redefining the tournament’s visual identity.
“We are absolutely excited to partner with the Australian Open, which is one of the most dynamic and globally followed sporting events worldwide,” stated Daniel Grieder, CEO of HUGO BOSS. “This collaboration is a natural fit for us, as it brings together two brands that share the same commitment to excellence, innovation, and creating extraordinary experiences. Tennis is part of BOSS’s DNA. The partnership therefore
marks an important step in our strategy to further drive the brand’s positioning at the intersection of sport, lifestyle, and global fan engagement.”
“The Australian Open has always been about more than just great tennis – it’s about atmosphere, innovation, and setting the benchmark for major sporting events worldwide,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said. “BOSS is a global brand with impeccable credentials in sport and style, and together we will enhance how our tournament looks, feels, and connects with fans from around the world.”
In its new role as the tournament’s Official Lifestyle Outfitter, BOSS is set to transform the visual identity of the Australian Open like never before. Dressing up to 4,000 staff, officials, umpires, and ball kids, BOSS will make an unmistakable impact, setting its signature confident style from the very first moment. The result is a bold step change: a unified, elevated, and distinctly modern aesthetic that will be visible across every corner of Melbourne Park. A curated palette of refined shades, subtle nods to the brand’s tailoring expertise, and easy-wear silhouettes engineered for the Melbourne heat come together to signal a new era in tournament style – perfectly in tune with the fast-paced, high-energy spirit of the event.
BOSS branding will also be displayed around the venue, including inside the iconic Rod Laver Arena. Beyond the tournament’s courts, the collaboration will extend to exclusive replica teamwear, merchandise, and off-court capsules. Dedicated pop-up stores, immersive on-site fan activations, an elevated guest experience, and further special events will bring the BOSS attitude to every part of “The Happy Slam.” Online and in store, impactful storytelling and curated initiatives will also share the sunshine spirit of Melbourne with tennis fans around the globe.
In a powerful opening serve that ignites excitement and sets the tone for what’s to come, the brand has created bold visuals to accompany today’s announcement. Bridging the worlds of fashion and sport, the imagery reimagines tennis balls in tactile fabrics – from rich wool to soft alpaca – as a nod to BOSS’s roots in craft and tailoring.
The brand’s history in tennis dates back to the 1980s, when it embarked on a 15-year-long sponsorship of the Davis Cup, the world’s largest international team competition in men’s tennis. Most recently, BOSS has welcomed star players Taylor Fritz and Matteo Berrettini, as well as emerging talents Noma Noha Akugue and Ella Seidel, as brand ambassadors, and since 2022 has served as title sponsor of popular ATP 250 tournament the BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart. Through the Australian Open partnership, BOSS is cementing its presence in tennis at one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments and propelling its position as a leading global style authority at the intersection of sport and culture.
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 (JP)
Sovereign ratings in Southeast Asia are under risk due to the Middle East conflict. Fiscal and external metrics underpinning the ratings will be strained if the global energy market does not begin to normalise in the next few months, the credit rating agency noted.
Prolonged energy disruptions will raise fiscal and external pressures on Southeast Asian nations, according to S&P Global.
Indonesia is more vulnerable to weakening credit metrics if the war continues and energy prices remain high.
Vietnam’s strong economic growth, its booming export sector and relatively unencumbered government balance sheet will act as ballast against the energy market dislocation.
If the longer-term impact of the war is severe, the robust growth prospects of economies dependent on imported energy may also be impaired, weakening economic support for the ratings, it said.
Its base case assumes the war’s intensity will peak and the Strait of Hormuz’s effective closure will ease during April, but some disruptions are likely to persist for months.
A prolonged surge in the cost of energy imports—coupled with a loss of foreign exchange reserves—is one risk scenario that could materially weaken Vietnam’s external liquidity position, the credit rating agency said in a regulatory article.
And a sharp increase in the fiscal deficit, in the unlikely event that economic growth also decelerates abruptly, could also erode the government’s more favourable leverage profile, it noted.
If these scenarios persist beyond six months and the government is unable to mitigate the impact on credit metrics, they could erode Vietnam’s robust credit buffers at the current ratings level.
If the pressure on the economy causes capital outflows, the authorities may use foreign exchange reserves to support the exchange rate.
The budget deficit in the country could also widen if the energy disruption drags on. Outcomes will ultimately be tied to the duration of the conflict and the disruptions, it said
Meanwhile, the sovereign ratings on Indonesia (BBB/stable/A-2) are sensitive to weakening fiscal or external credit metrics resulting from the war.
Potential risks include higher energy prices raising budgetary subsidy payments, weighing on deficits; government interest payments rising if accelerating inflation fuels a further increase in market interest rates; and importing more expensive oil products widening the current account deficit (CAD).
The government’s response to the energy disruption may contain some of the damage to its fiscal performance, S&P Global Ratings noted. But, higher commodity prices could also boost government revenue. This helps to limit the increase in the size of the fiscal deficit and reduces upward pressures on the budgetary interest payment ratio.
Indonesian exports have grown this year, but the growth momentum is tempered by declining sales of energy products. With the sharp rebound in energy prices, Indonesian export growth could rise further to mitigate the increase in oil imports.
Overall, Indonesian credit metrics are likely to weaken marginally under the credit rating agency’s base case.
As a commodities exporter, Indonesia may see some mitigating developments offsetting some of the pressures on the sovereign ratings, particularly if there is a broad-based strengthening of commodities prices. This could help to turn around some of the worsening trend in the country’s credit metrics once the situation normalises.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The report titled ‘Impacts of the Conflict in the Middle East on African Economies’, cautions that African economies, which were slowly recovering from the severe consequences of COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war and rising trade tariffs, could be among the most affected by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Growth in African countries is projected to decline by up to 0.2 per cent this year due to the Middle East crisis, according to a joint policy document by the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank Group, the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the UN Development Programme.
The main effects of the conflicts on Africa include surging prices of hydrocarbons, food products and fertilisers.
Kevin Urama, chief economist and vice president for economic governance and knowledge management at AfDB who presented the report on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, DC, recently, urged African governments not to panic or take hasty decisions that could harm their fiscal balances.
The main effects of Middle Eastern conflicts on African economies include surging prices of hydrocarbons, food products and fertilisers, noted the report.
“Eighty per cent of the oil imported into Africa comes from this region, as well as 50 per cent of refined petroleum,” said ECA executive secretary Claver Gatete.
The report recommends, in particular, strategic inflation management to ensure short-term price stability expectations. It cautions oil-exporting countries to adopt strict fiscal discipline by managing windfall revenues prudently, while strengthening debt-monitoring, and using energy reserves strategically.
Where fiscal space allows, it advises that temporary and targeted social protection measures be deployed to shield the most vulnerable populations from the crisis, added the report.
However, the report urged governments to avoid broad-based subsidies that could worsen long-term fiscal deficits, and to diversify sources of energy, inputs and food supplies.
It also recommends that African governments strengthen regional and intra-African trade in oil and fertiliser markets to enhance resilience; and ensure smooth inter-institutional coordination to harmonise strategic monetary and fiscal policies.
At the same time, the report calls upon development partners, multilateral banks and development finance institutions to provide emergency support to African countries through crisis response measures and technical assistance.
It also recommends a speedy operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while strengthening large-scale domestic capital mobilisation.
The report also suggested Africa to diversify its energy mix by accelerating investments in renewable energy and the gas sector.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
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