Each season of Moscow Fashion Week demonstrates the growth of domestic brands

One of the main topics of discussion at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow was the search for a balance between openness to external players and protection of interests for national brands. In recent years, countries in the Global South have been actively using protectionist measures to protect the textile industry, which provides significant employment for the population. China, despite its status as a "global factory," supports the domestic market through subsidies, while Brazil, protecting its domestic market from external pressure, imposes heavy tariffs, while other countries use protectionist measures to stimulate their exports, supporting young industries and increasing government budget revenues.

In Russia, 2022 has seriously changed the situation in all areas, fashion is no exception.

"Back then, the industry was faced with a huge number of issues that needed to be addressed, but first of all, we relied on promoting the brand among our customers. First, the buyer must be local," Protectionism or free trade noted during the plenary session on Friday. Is it necessary to protect national clothing markets?" Alexey Fursin, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of Culture.

According to him, subsequently, each season of the Moscow Fashion Week demonstrated the growth of domestic brands. "And I am grateful to today's participants, namely the international delegation. We see that not only representatives of the design community come to Moscow for a fashion event, but also buyers, and this is already becoming such a steady trend," he continued.

Many Western brands that left Russia three years ago have expressed their desire to return. As Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, noted during the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, the government will not prevent their return, but gives priority to Russian business.

"Here, of course, we need to think about who left, how they left. I think the Russian government will make a very balanced decision. There is some kind of protectionism, which, of course, hinders competition. I think there will be a balanced decision by the government on what conditions they will come back to us," he said.

Aurea Yamashita, Executive Director of ABEST, a participant from Brazil, in turn, spoke about how difficult it is for local brands to break into the international market. Therefore, it is quite difficult to compete in the international market.

"In fact, this is a big problem for us, because it is very expensive to enter the international market. This amount is made up of taxes and duties levied by our country. We often discuss in Brazil that we need to reduce duties in order to help our companies enter other markets and become competitive. Our designers use a lot of needlework, the products are unique, so lately, of course, they have begun to sell more abroad, but they could sell even more if they reduced the level of duties," she said.