A recent conference hosted by ASU FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) brought together students, scholars, and industry professionals for a week of workshops, presentations, and networking, ultimately fostering a collaborative vision for a more enduring future in fashion. The event unfolded across two locations: the ASU California Center Grand in Los Angeles and the downtown Phoenix campus.
Los Angeles and Phoenix Convergence
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The conference began with two days in Los Angeles at the ASU California Center Grand. Attendees benefited from opportunities to connect with ASU FIDM faculty and students, and to tour the school’s fashion studios, the textile Testing Lab, and the ASU FIDM Museum. The event then transitioned to downtown phoenix, where participants engaged in hands-on workshops and demonstrations at Fusion on first, utilizing ASU FIDM’s fashion studios, Fab Lab, and wearable Technology Lab. Work continued on paper presentations and exhibitions throughout the week.
Industry Insights and Student Engagement
A key component of the conference involved direct interaction with students thru ASU FIDM’s Professional Practices for Fashion course. This weekly course invites fashion industry professionals as guest speakers to share their career paths, industry insights, and advice.During the conference, Annick Schramme, professor and director of the Master of Cultural Management at the university of Antwerp, University of Antwerp, spoke to the class about the Belgian fashion industry and the influential Antwerp Six.
The Antwerp Six – a group of Belgian fashion designers who gained international recognition in the 1980s – were known for their unconventional approach, including traveling across Europe in a van to showcase their designs in London.
Student Reactions
Alejandra Ponce, a fashion merchandising student, expressed enthusiasm for Schramme’s presentation. “This week was my favorite presenter so far,” Ponce saeid. “I loved talking with Annick after class and discussing fashion with her. I cannot understate how crucial the Antwerp Six are to me and how they have inspired me.I am glad that I was able to attend this lecture.”
Kev Ortiz, a fashion student, highlighted how the talk broadened his viewpoint on the global fashion landscape. “before this talk, I only considered major fashion cities like Paris, Milan and New York to be at the center of the fashion world,” Ortiz said. “Learning about Antwerp’s rise as a ‘city of fashion’ revealed to me that new ideas can emerge from unexpected places when creativity is supported, even in limited-resource environments.”
Phoebe Drew Moore, a student interested in fashion journalism, found the conference particularly impactful for her future career path. Schramme advised Moore to attend the conference and connect with journalists from Italy.
“I took her advice, and ended up having an incredibly influential conversation,” Moore said. “After a whole host of consideration and reflection on my conversations, I have formally set in motion my plans to pursue further education, and I feel incredibly energized by this decision and grateful for Dr. Schramme’s advice and words of wisdom. Her presentation and her words had a huge impact on me, and I am incredibly grateful to have gotten to meet her through this class.”
Global perspectives and Sustainable Futures
The conference also attracted international attendees, such as Fernanda correra Bernardo, a master’s student at the university of São Paulo and member of the Sustexmoda Congress of Brazil.Bernardo shared that the conference provided a sense of hope and a shared commitment to a better future for the fashion industry.
As the week concluded, a strong sense of connection extended beyond the conference rooms, uniting students, scholars, and creators from across the globe. Attendees departed with innovative ideas and a renewed belief in the power of collaborative, global fashion education to reshape the industry and guide it toward a more sustainable future.