The BRICS+ Fashion Summit has ended

The third international BRICS+ Fashion Summit, which took place in the capital from 28 to 30 August, has ended in Moscow. The summit was remembered for its business program, which was attended by government officials, designers, and heads of fashion associations from China, Brazil, Costa Rica, Turkey, Ethiopia, South Africa, Malta, and other countries. They discussed the investment attractiveness of the fashion industry, modern technologies, the problem of maintaining respect for cultural codes, and much more.

The fashion industry has become a powerful driver of economic development. It stimulates the growth of related industries, from traditional textile manufacturing and logistics to advanced digital technologies and creative industries.

During the plenary session, the successful adaptation of Russian textile factories to modern requirements was noted. Innovative developments are used in the production of nonwovens, synthetic fabrics, and membranes that are in demand in modern conditions. A number of raw materials projects of the light industry are being worked out, which will be supported, including in terms of promotion in foreign markets.

"Over the past 5 years, the fashion market has more than doubled and is now estimated by experts at 500 billion rubles. In terms of pieces, this is about 1 billion different fashion items. According to the forecasts of the same experts, we will grow in the range from 5% to 7% annually in the future until 2036," said Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

In addition, the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia noted the growth of retail trade turnover and spoke in detail about the support measures provided by the state in this direction. In this regard, the fruitful work of the regions in bringing together industry representatives, creating fashion centers, and organizing industry events was noted. In total, there are 11 active clusters in the light industry.

Anton Alikhanov noted a number of available export opportunities for manufacturers from the BRICS countries, emphasizing the importance of building long-term economic relations with key players: China and India.

"It is a great honor for me to come to Moscow for the BRICS+ Fashion Summit for the third time. Thanks to this forum, I have made many new friends and see how more and more fashion industry professionals from all over the world are eager to participate in it. The BRICS+ Fashion Summit has become an important platform for professional communication and the development of international cooperation. I wish the summit further growth and prosperity," said Yang Jian, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chinese Fashion Association.

The speakers of the session were Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Alyona Akhmadullina, designer, creator of the Alena Akhmadullina brand, Yang Jian, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chinese Fashion Association (China), Cem Altan, President of the International Federation of Clothing (Turkey), Maxim Grishakov, CEO, Lamoda, Sergey Sarkisov, Vice President, Novard Group of Companies | Econika. The moderator was Natalia Popova, First Deputy General Director of Innopraktika.

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 to 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 the national clothing markets," said Alexei Fursin, Minister of the Moscow Government and 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.

Even ten years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine such a big leap in the creative industry. Previously, there were only a few successful design examples that turned to a unique code, museum collections, and traditional patterns, but now the situation has changed dramatically," continued Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.

"Now, of course, we are pleased with the incredible number of talented, young, modern guys who draw their inspiration from our classics. I can say, for example, about our largest federal museums, to which they regularly apply for color, code, design, and font. All of this has become incredibly popular and in demand not only from the creators, but also from the buyers," she said.

The speakers of the plenary session were Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, Alexey Fursin, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of Culture, Aysel Trudel, Trustee, Fashion Foundation, Aurea Yamashita, Executive Director of ABEST (Brazil). The moderator was Alexandra Suvorova, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Rossiya-24 TV channel.