FIT's 18th Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference
Reimagining Our Future
Took Place on April 9 and 10, 2024
The 2024 Sustainable Business and Design Conference will focus on concrete methods to reshape our future, highlighting practices and partnerships that disrupt the global supply chain. The key pillars of sustainability in both design and business will be addressed by this year’s conference theme Reimagining Our Future. Join us to hear from leaders pioneering innovative solutions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and global sustainability benchmarks. Sessions and keynotes will spotlight partnerships and collaborations that marry science with design and manufacturing to implement a circular economy and put cutting-edge advances into the hands of the consumer.
Featured Sessions:
- The Supply Chain and Businesses of the Future
- Communication and Global Commitments in Sustainability
- Design and Eco-Responsibility
- Collaborations and Partnerships for Change
Learn More About This Year's Speakers
Featured Speakers
Stacy Flynn
CEO and Founding Partner, Evrnu
Christopher Bevans
Fashion Designer
Amber Valletta
Fashion Model, Actress, Entrepreneur, Activist, FIT’s Sustainability Ambassador
Hillary Taymour
Founder, Collina Strada
April Calahan
Fashion and Art historian, Writer, and Podcaster
Rachel Slade
Author
Frederico Brugnoli
Founding Director and CEO, Spin360; Scientific Director, Fashion Sustainability and Industry Evolution, Accademia Costume and Moda
Melody Serafino
Co-founder of No. 29 Communications
Dr. Tuwanda Green
Architect and Educator
Robert Hammond
President and Chief Strategy Officer, Therme Group US
Rajiv Joshi
Sophia Kianni
Kimberly Jenkins
Founder, The Fashion and Race Database and Artis Solomon
Julie Mastrarrigo
Director of Leadership Development, Remake
Gabriele Camozzi
Head of Marketing, Albini Group
Chui-lian Lee
Co-founder and CEO, Werewool
Schedule of Events
Events will be held in person, along with pre-recorded and livestreamed sessions for the FIT community and registered attendees. Please check back for updated speakers and schedule information.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
9:30 am
Conference Check-In and Coffee Networking
10:00 am
Opening Remarks and Land Acknowledgement
Dr. Joyce F. Brown, President, FIT
Dr. Karen R. Pearson, Chair, Sustainability Council, FIT
10:15–11 am
April Calahan and Rachel Slade
Dressed:The History of Fashion podcast (live podcast)
April Calahan, Executive Producer/Co-Host, Dressed: The History of Fashion podcast
Rachel Slade, Author, Making It in America
11–11:40 am
Environmentally Conscious Design
Hillary Taymour, Designer, Collina Strada
Andrea Diodati, Assistant Professor, Fashion Design, FIT
11:40 am–12:15 pm
The Supply Chain and Businesses of the Future
Gabriele Camozzi, Head of Marketing, Albini Group
Moderator: Salvatore Giardina, Assistant Professor, Production Management, FIT
Sustainable Production and Supply Chain Traceability: Albini Group—a look at how textile mills support sustainable solutions and production in the fashion industry
12:15–1 pm
Lunch Break
1–2 pm
Opening Keynote
Stacy Flynn, CEO and Co-Founder of Evrnu; FIT alum, Textile Development and Marketing
The Nucycl | Bevans Hoodie Partnership
Christopher Bevans, Creative Director; FIT alum
Stacy Flynn, CEO and Co-Founder, Evrnu; FIT alum, Textile Development and Marketing
Moderator: Whitney Crutchfield, Assistant Professor, Textile Development and Marketing, FIT
2:30–3:30 pm
Reimagining our Future by Taking Care of the Present
Rajiv Joshi, Economist, Community Organizer, Entrepreneurial Leader
Vic Barrett, American Climate Activist
Sophia Kianni, Social Entrepreneur and Activist
Moderator: Amber Valletta, Fashion Model, Actress, Entrepreneur, Activist, FIT’s Sustainability Ambassador
Discussing the importance of cultivating inner resilience, self care, and connection to nature as a way to deepen one’s work in the climate crisis. Finding and sharing peace in challenging times.
3:45–4:30 pm
Anticipation and Global Commitments in Sustainability
Frederico Brugnoli, Founding Director and CEO, Spin360
4:30–5 pm
Building a New Business: Sustainability in Beauty and Fashion
Jesper Gudbergsen, Editor-in-Chief, Submission Beauty
Tania Ali, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cadre Style, Inc
Moderator: Jennifer Walsh, Entrepreneur
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
9:30 am
Conference Check-In and Coffee Networking
10 am
Conference Day Two Welcome
Dr. Colleen Hill, Curator of Costume and Accessories, The Museum at FIT
Andrea Diodati, Assistant Professor, Fashion Design, FIT
10–10:45 am
Innovation for EcoDesign
Gabriele Camozzi, Head of Marketing, Albini
Aleks Gosiewski, Co-Founder and COO, Keel Labs
Chui-Lian Lee, Co-Founder and CEO, Werewool
Moderator: Dr. Casey Lardener, Lab and Operations Manager, Genspace
10:50–11:20 am
Agents for Change
Melody Serafino, Co-Founder, No. 29 Communications
11:25 am–12 pm
Designing Eco-Inspired Spaces
Dr. Tuwanda Green, Adjunct Professor, Virginia Tech College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
Robert Hammond, President and Chief Strategy Officer for Therme Group US
Moderator: Ethan Lu, Professor and Assistant Chair, Interior Design, FIT
12–2 pm
Focus Group Lunch
Great Hall
Dr. Theanne Schiros: National Geographic Explorer Classroom, Bio-Design (Video)
Michael Ferraro: Executive Director, FIT Design and Technology Lab (DTech)
Caroline Gordon: “Ladies Who Launch” and ESG’s
Lindsay Humphreys: Policies, transparency, and traceability within the supply chain
2–2:45 pm
Fashion Accountability, Social Justice, Call to Action
Kimberly Jenkins, Founder, CEO and Principal Researcher, The Fashion and Race Database
Julie Mastrarrigo, Managing Director, ReMake New York
3–3:45 pm
Fashion Innovation Center
Dr. Theanne Schiros, Associate Professor, Science and Math, FIT
Andrea Diodati, Assistant Professor, Fashion Design, FIT
Cecilia Tkaczyk, Sheep Farmer and Owner of CeCe's Wool
Eric De Feo, Co-Founder, Made X Hudson
Sergio Guadarrama, Co-Founder, Made X Hudson
4 pm
Closing Speaker (TBA)
5–7 pm
FIT Changemaker Award
Closing Reception
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For general information or questions, email [email protected].
Conference Overview
Each year, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) organizes and hosts a sustainable business and design conference. The event is recognized as a platform for collaboration and discussion across the creative industries, highlighting advances in sustainable design and cutting-edge thought leadership. By sharing innovative student projects, cross-institutional research, and industry partnerships, the conference explores solutions to the most pressing environmental and social challenges of our time. In recent years, session topics have included the farm-to-fashion movement, biomaterials innovation, a sustainable supply chain, mindfulness in design, and recyclable packaging materials. The wide-ranging program features keynote speakers, panels, and projects that delve into pressing issues and exciting developments in the industry.
