On October 24th, 2025, during the ITMF Annual Conference & IAF World Fashion Convention 2025 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the Committee of Management of the ITMF elected the members of the ITMF Board for the period 2025-2027.

At the ITMF Annual Conference & IAF World Fashion Convention 2025 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Juan Parès (Spain) was unanimously elected ITMF president for the period 2025–2027.
Mustafa Denizer (Turkiye) and Yan Yan (China) became vice presidents, with Ernesto Maurer (Switzerland) re-elected as treasurer.
KV Srinivasan (India) was named life member.

Mr. Juan Parès (Spain) was unanimously elected as the new ITMF President of the Federation.

Mr. Mustafa Denizer (Türkiye) was re-elected, and Ms. Yan Yan (China) was elected as new Vice Presidents of the Federation.

Mr. Ernesto Maurer (Switzerland) was re-elected as Honorary Treasurer.

The following persons were re-elected as Non-executive Board Members:

• Mr. Salman Ispahani (Bangladesh)
• Mr. Yingxin Xu (China)
• Ms. Suchita Jain Oswal (India)
• Mr. Tae Jin Kang (Korea)
• Mr. Anees Khawaja (Pakistan)
• Mr. Stefan Hutter (Singapore)
• Mr. Uday Gill (Thailand)

The following persons were elected as new Non-executive Board Members:

• Mr. Ernst Grimmelt (Germany)
• Mr. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu (India)

Mr. Rafael Cervone (Brazil), Mr. Mohammad Kassem (Egypt), Mrs. Michelle Tjokrosaputro (Indonesia), Mr. Loek de Vries (Netherlands), and Mr. Muharrem Kayhan (Türkiye) were co-opted to the Board.

Mr. K. V. Srinivasan (India) was appointed Honorary Life Member of the Federation in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Federation as Vice President (2018-2023) and as President (2023-2025).

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 (HU)

Artificial intelligence is redefining how fashion businesses design, source, market and sell—and this year’s Global Sourcing Expo is placing the spotlight firmly on its transformative potential.

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)

Though Bangladesh has met all three essential United Nations criteria for graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status—gross national income (GNI) per capita, the human assets index and the economic vulnerability index, maintaining economic momentum and competitiveness after that needs significant internal restructuring, according to the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB).

Upon graduation, Bangladesh will gradually lose the duty-free and quota-free market access it currently enjoys in major destinations like the European Union, Canada and Australia.

Though Bangladesh has met all three essential UN criteria for graduation from the LDC status, maintaining economic momentum and competitiveness after that needs significant internal restructuring, the ICCB has said.
An editorial in its latest newsletter said unless productivity improves and the country diversifies into new markets and higher-value apparel categories, the RMG industry’s edge may weaken.

For the readymade garment (RMG) industry—which accounts for over 80 per cent of export earnings—tariffs of 10-12 per cent could sharply reduce competitiveness, an editorial in the July-September 2025 issue of ICCB News Bulletin said.

Unless productivity improves and the country diversifies into new markets and higher-value apparel categories, its edge may weaken, it noted.

“Graduation will end concessional loans and grants, forcing Bangladesh to rely on costly commercial borrowing. With over $100 billion in external debt, rising global interest rates could strain repayment capacity. Stronger debt management, higher reserves, and export diversification are crucial to maintain fiscal discipline and ensure long-term macroeconomic stability,” said the editorial.

Global trade trends compound this challenge. Rising protectionism, complex supply-chain standards and non-tariff barriers such as carbon border taxes and due-diligence laws threaten traditional export models. As the global apparel market increasingly prioritises sustainability, traceability and labour compliance, Bangladesh must reposition itself as a responsible and innovative manufacturing hub, suggests the editorial.

At the same time, weaknesses in education, healthcare, and social protection must be addressed to ensure inclusive growth. A post-LDC Bangladesh cannot afford to leave its human capital behind. Skill development, vocational training, and greater female participation in the workforce will determine how equitably prosperity is shared.

Graduation also presents an opportunity to diversify beyond garments into IT, pharmaceuticals, leather agro-processing, service sector and shipbuilding—sectors critical for long-term competitiveness, it observed.

The privileges of the past will fade and the discipline of the future will demand more reform, more innovation and greater resilience, the editorial added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)