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Collective Conversation Vancouver

As part of Eco Fashion Week, one of the the world’s largest sustainable fashion event, the Collective Conversation aims to engage a day of open dialogue to provide information on the challenges, opportunities and innovations facing the sustainability of the garment and textile industry.

This season’s Collective Conversation is presented by OEKO-TEX, joining with us to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. OEKO-TEX is an international association of independent research and testing institutes focused on enhancing both product safety and sustainable production in the textile industry. The Association is made up of 18 member institutes with representative offices in more than 60 countries all over the world.

Eco Fashion Week is convening a group of fashion and retail industry leaders, key stakeholders, engaged consumers to share information and discuss what can be done collectively to encourage socially, environmentally and economically sustainable fashion.

Three lively panel discussions will explore different areas of focus on textiles in the garment and fashion industry, and will kick off with a keynote interview with sustainability leader Esther Speck, VP of Global Sustainability at Lululemon. Sessions feature leaders from all aspects of the textile and garment industry, focusing on certifications and brand awareness, fiber sourcing, the textile lifecycle, waste diversion and recycling.

Agenda:

12:00  Doors Open & Light Lunch Available

12:30  Welcome from Myriam Laroche, President of Eco Fashion Week and Andrea Reimer, Councilor with the City of Vancouver

Collective Conversation Moderator: Fiona Forbes, Shaw TV

12:45  Keynote Interview with Esther Speck, VP Global Sustainability at Lululemon.

13:15   Session 1: Textile Certification and Brand Integrity

Speakers will discuss the Oeko-tex certification process and textile labelling, and how brand integrity can be build through confidence in the product. The panel will also address the steps being taken to ensure sustainability at each step of the textile supply chain, and the current market drivers and brand awareness.

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Anna Czerwinska, Head of Marketing and Communications, OEKO-TEX Association
  • Paul King, President, KenDor Textiles
  • Joel Mertens, Material Technologies Integrity Engineer, Mountain Equipment Co-op

14:45  Health Break

15:00  Session 2: Connecting Textiles to Nature

Speakers will discuss the fiber sourcing of textiles, awareness building campaigns that are working to ensure sustainable sourcing by brands and commitments by consumers.

Confirmed Speakers:

16:30  Health Break

16:45   Session 3: Closing the Loop on Textiles

Panelists will join in a discussion on recent work completed in the Metro Vancouver region on mapping the lifecycle on textiles and where opportunities for waste diversion and recycling exist.

Moderator: Myriam Laroche, President of Eco Fashion Week

Confirmed Speakers:

18:00  Cocktail Reception – Hosted by OEKO-TEX: Networking and Showcase Exhibitors

19:00   Presentation of the Chic Sheets Design Competition – Presented by LaSalle College, in Partnership with the Fairmont Waterfront

Followed by SANSKAR by Sonam Dubal Showcase