For Berlin Fashion Week in July 2024, the Fashion Council Germany, in partnership with VOGUE Business and eBay Germany, will host its talk format "METAMORPHOSIS – dialogues about change," powered by eBay, for the first time. From July 2nd to 4th, national and international experts from the fashion industry and the circular economy will gather at the CUPRA City Garage in Berlin Mitte to discuss the various facets and necessary changes within the sector. Over the three days of the event, the overarching theme of circularity will be explored from different perspectives: design , technology & innovation , and community .

Over 30 renowned industry experts will discuss these topics in six different panel talks and provide impetus for a subsequent audience discussion. Under the motto "METAMORPHOSIS – dialogues about change," the talk format aims to highlight the various facets and essential transformations of the industry, create spaces for discussion on current topics, and thus promote exchange within the sector. The theme of circularity, or the circular economy, is already reflected in many of the concepts of the brands featured in the BFW calendar. Project partner eBay Germany, as one of Germany's largest online marketplaces, also plays a key role in providing retailers and individuals with a trustworthy platform for the circular economy.

Scott Lipinski, CEO of the Fashion Council Germany, emphasizes: “ Talk formats like METAMORPHOSIS offer us the opportunity to bring together leading industry experts from our network to share their extensive knowledge with an interested audience. It gives me hope that we will use the Berlin Fashion Week platform to stimulate the conversation and thus initiate change.”

Tanja Vojkic, Category Lead Fashion at eBay Germany, adds: “ In the many discussions we continuously have with our stakeholders in the fashion retail and manufacturing sectors, the topic of the circular economy is a key item on the agenda. eBay.de was a pioneer of the circular economy 25 years ago, and today the growing market for pre-loved items is more central than ever to eBay Germany's strategy and objectives. It therefore makes perfect sense for us to promote exchange within the fashion industry with a panel discussion on circularity. ”

The following panel talks will take place during the three days of the event:

Tuesday, July 2nd – DESIGN

Keynote speech: What is Circularity?

#1 Panel: “Crafting Love: Designing for Circular Fashion and Garment Longevity”

#2 Panel: "Beyond Good Intentions: Navigating Global Human Rights in Design and Supply Chains"

Wednesday, July 3 – TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

#3 Panel: "Innovative Retail Revolution: Redefining Product-Centric Shopping across experiences and touchpoints

#4 Panel: How to implement AI in a responsible way?

Thursday, July 4 – COMMUNITY

#5 Panel: “Fashioning Community Narratives: Bridging CSR Reporting to End Consumers through Storytelling”

#6 Panel: "Breaking Barriers: Empowering Fashion in the Global Creative Economy"

The event is open to the public, offering fashion enthusiasts beyond the industry a chance to participate during Berlin Fashion Week. The venue is the CUPRA City Garage at Aaron-Bernstein-Platz 1, 10117 Berlin. The showroom, opened in 2023, with its modern, industrial aesthetic, provides the perfect setting for the talk format. CUPRA is also the mobility partner of Berlin Fashion Week.

Industry expert Ann Claes serves as Content Director and supports the FCG both in terms of content and in assembling the panelists. As co-founder of the fashion, sustainability, and technology agency Masjien, she combines her over 20 years of industry experience with innovative new ideas. Panelists include Dilys Williams (Centre for Sustainable Fashion), Dries Vriesacker (ENFNTS TERRIBLES), Herbert Hofmann (Highsnobiety), Janina Lin Otto (Holistic Foundation), Kerstin Weng (VOGUE Germany), Kirsty Keoghan (eBay), Kirsty McGregor (Vogue Business), Liz Ricketts (The Or Foundation), Maliha Shoaib (Vogue Business), and Nina Knaudt (Rianna + Nina).

You can register for the panels HERE .