KUALA LUMPUR: The BRICS+ Fashion Summit concluded in Moscow today with a landmark announcement: leaders from fashion associations across more than 50 countries signed a memorandum to form the BRICS International Fashion Federation.
The new federation seeks to establish new centres of influence, strengthen international connections, boost industry sustainability and provide NewGen of fashion talents with opportunities for growth.
The summit was attended by representatives from over 100 countries, solidifying its standing as the largest fashion event for both emerging and established markets.
Jay Ishak, president of the Malaysian Official Designers' Association, said the formation of the BRICS International Fashion Federation, which includes Malaysia as a member, can revolutionise the fashion industry by driving growth, innovation and cooperation among member countries.
"This can increase trade and investment, provide access to new markets, and enhance competitive advantage, facilitate knowledge sharing, joint research while promoting cultural exchange, diversity and inclusivity," he said in a statement.
Sunil Sethi, chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India, said: "The need for such a fashionable alliance of emerging countries is long overdue.
"Brands, designers, and markets all face similar challenges - from supply chain disruptions to environmental issues - that are easier to solve together."
The fashion world is focused on a few hundred global brands, so emerging markets need their own platform to make our voices heard, he added.
The memorandum to establish the federation was signed by an array of influential figures, including CEOs of fashion weeks, heads of fashion and textile associations, and academic leaders from countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Vietnam, South Africa, Russia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Spain, the USA, Ghana, Tanzania, Jordan, Ecuador, Paraguay and Kenya.
Natalya Sergunina, deputy mayor of Moscow, highlighted the initiative's significance: "The creation of this federation is a major outcome of the recent BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow.
"It demonstrates once again the shared goals and substantial potential for growth that we have with our global colleagues."