Recent Event in EiTEX:

The 2nd National Conference on Sustainable Fashion was successfully convened, bringing together distinguished experts, industry leaders, designers, and academics to advance the dialogue on sustainability within the fashion sector. The event served as a landmark platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration, highlighting Ethiopia’s growing role in shaping a sustainable future for fashion.

Keynote Address

The conference was honored to host Ms. Anastasia Pistofidou, Co-Founder of Fabricademy and FabTextiles, and PhD candidate at Elisava, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, as the keynote speaker. Her address provided profound insights into the intersection of technology, design, and sustainability, inspiring participants to reimagine fashion systems through innovation and circular practices.

Industry Experience Sharing

A highlight of the conference was the industry experience session led by Mr. Endashaw Yohannes Hailu, Head of Continuous Improvement & Strategy at Shintes ETP Garment PLC. His presentation offered practical perspectives on implementing sustainability practices within large-scale garment manufacturing, demonstrating how continuous improvement strategies can drive measurable impact.

Panel Discussions

The panel sessions brought together a diverse group of thought leaders and practitioners, each contributing unique expertise to the discourse on sustainable fashion:

l  Mr. Asegid Adane – Deputy UNIDO Representative

l  Ms. Fikirte Addis – Designer and Owner of Yefikir Design

l  Ms. Sara Mohammed – Founder of Next Fashion Design College

l  Ms. Blen Masresha – Social Sustainability Advisor

l  Ms. Bezawit Eshetu – Circular Economy Specialist

l  Mr. Samson Asefa – Cotton Development Lead Executive

l  Mr. Delo Benka – Textile and Garment Research & Development Center

The panelists engaged in dynamic discussions on topics ranging from sustainable design and circular economy models to cotton development, social sustainability, and research-driven innovation. Their diverse perspectives enriched the conference, offering attendees actionable strategies and inspiring visions for the future.

Exhibitions

A remarkable exhibition was curated by alumni, showcasing innovative sustainable practices and creative design solutions. The exhibits highlighted the integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern sustainable techniques, sparking meaningful conversations among participants and visitors.

Fashion Show

The conference featured a memorable fashion show prepared by students of Fashion Design and Fashion Engineering, alongside alumni contributions. The runway celebrated creativity, innovation, and sustainability, vividly demonstrating how eco-conscious design can be both aesthetically compelling and socially impactful.

Overall, the 2nd National Conference on Sustainable Fashion was highly successful, featuring insightful keynote presentations, practical industry experiences, engaging panel discussions, and creative showcases. The event emphasized the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and the creative sector in advancing sustainable fashion.

The conference further reinforced Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainability and positioned the country as an emerging center for innovation and dialogue within the global movement toward responsible and ethical fashion.