Under the theme Lead & Thrive: Building the Business of Tomorrow, day three of ‘METAMORPHOSIS – dialogues about change’ powered by eBay provided a glimpse into the minds of today’s fashion leaders: What does visionary thinking look like now? How do you build a brand with purpose? And which values guide those shaping the future of fashion? A standout moment was the much-anticipated conversation between Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of Fashion Council Germany, and top model and entrepreneur Toni Garrn, exploring the question: Can fashion be a force for good?

Interview:

Thread by Thread: Edward Buchanan on Crafting a Fashion Futurewith Edward Buchanan (Creative Director, KSAT) & Rabea Schif (TV Host & Philanthropist)

In this intimate and inspiring session, Edward Buchanan shared insights from his journey as a designer and advocate for inclusion, reflecting on creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural responsibility. From his early days at Bottega Veneta to his vision for a more intentional, purpose-driven industry, Buchanan called for fashion that places people and meaning at its core.

Keynote:

Strategic Leadership in Fashion Innovationwith Maria Sbiti (Sustainability & Innovation Director, Freelance)

Innovation needs more than big ideas—it requires leaders who can turn vision into real-world impact. In her keynote, Maria drew on her experience at Pangaia and Christian Louboutin to show how purpose-driven leadership and operational excellence are reshaping the fashion industry for the better.

Panel:

The Power of Communication: Building Brands That Matterwith Christian Bracht (CEO, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, H&B Publishing), Fabian Arnold (CEO, Hypeneedz), Julien Rosilio (Founder & CEO, Oriane), Hikmet Sugoer (Founder, SONRA) & Sera Akyazici (Founder, TOURIST)

This panel explored how powerful storytelling, clear values, and authentic messaging help brands stand out and build meaningful connections in a saturated market. Featuring voices from print, tech, and street culture, it revealed how narrative shapes relevance and trust in today’s fashion landscape.

Interview:

Let Clothes Do Good – In Conversation with Toni Garrn

with Toni Garrn (Model & Founder, Super Flea Market) & Christiane Arp (Chairwoman, Fashion Council Germany)

In this inspiring conversation, Toni Garrn and Christiane Arp explored how fashion can move beyond aesthetics to drive real impact. By blending advocacy with leadership, they showed how purpose-driven design and empowered communities can turn fashion into a force for good.

Interview:

From Vision to Venture: Building a creative Fashion Startup

with Ann Claes (Co-Founder & Techno-optimist, Masjien), Serge Carreira (Director Emerging Brands Initiative, Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode) & Sara Sozzani Maino (Creative Director, Fondazione Sozzani)

Turning creativity into a viable business is no easy feat. In this session, Serge Carreira and Sara Maino shared how strategic guidance, strong support systems, and practical know-how can help emerging designers grow their vision into lasting fashion brands.

Keynote:

The New Wardrobe: Transforming Fashion Ownership in the Digital Agewith Karinna Grant (Founder & CEO, Keeper)

Karinna Grant examined the move from physical ownership to shared, fractional, and digital fashion models as solutions to overproduction and environmental challenges. The session highlighted how blockchain, immersive experiences, and co-ownership platforms are reshaping consumer values—prioritizing meaning and heritage over materialism in the future wardrobe.

Photo-Credit: Finnegan Godenschweger