FIT's 18th Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference
Reimagining Our Future
Took Place on April 9 and 10, 2024
The 2024 Sustainable Business and Design Conference will focus on concrete methods to reshape our future, highlighting practices and partnerships that disrupt the global supply chain. The key pillars of sustainability in both design and business will be addressed by this year’s conference theme Reimagining Our Future. Join us to hear from leaders pioneering innovative solutions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and global sustainability benchmarks. Sessions and keynotes will spotlight partnerships and collaborations that marry science with design and manufacturing to implement a circular economy and put cutting-edge advances into the hands of the consumer.
Featured Sessions:
- The Supply Chain and Businesses of the Future
- Communication and Global Commitments in Sustainability
- Design and Eco-Responsibility
- Collaborations and Partnerships for Change
Learn More About This Year's Speakers
Featured Speakers
![Stacy Flynn](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-stacy-flynn-2024.jpg)
Stacy Flynn
CEO and Founding Partner, Evrnu
![Christopher Bevans](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-chris-bevans-2024.jpg)
Christopher Bevans
Fashion Designer
![Amber Valletta](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-amber-valletta-2024.jpg)
Amber Valletta
Fashion Model, Actress, Entrepreneur, Activist, FIT’s Sustainability Ambassador
![Hillary Taymour](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-hillary-taymour-2024.jpg)
Hillary Taymour
Founder, Collina Strada
![April Calahan](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-april-calahan-2024.jpg)
April Calahan
Fashion and Art historian, Writer, and Podcaster
![Rachel Slade](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-rachel-slade-2024.jpg)
Rachel Slade
Author
![Frederico Brugnoli](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-federico-brugnoli-2024.jpg)
Frederico Brugnoli
Founding Director and CEO, Spin360; Scientific Director, Fashion Sustainability and Industry Evolution, Accademia Costume and Moda
![Melody Serafino](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-melody-serafino-2024.jpg)
Melody Serafino
Co-founder of No. 29 Communications
![Dr. Tuwanda Green](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-tuwanda-green-2024.jpg)
Dr. Tuwanda Green
Architect and Educator
![Robert Hammond](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-robert-hammond-2024.jpg)
Robert Hammond
President and Chief Strategy Officer, Therme Group US
![Rajiv Joshi](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-rajiv-joshi-2024.jpg)
Rajiv Joshi
![Sophia Kianni](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-sophia-kianni-2024.jpg)
Sophia Kianni
![Kimberly Jenkins](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-kimberly-jenkins-2024.jpg)
Kimberly Jenkins
Founder, The Fashion and Race Database and Artis Solomon
![Julie Mastrarrigo](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-julie-mastrarrigo-2024.jpg)
Julie Mastrarrigo
Director of Leadership Development, Remake
![Gabriele Camozzi](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-gabriele-camozzi-2024.jpg)
Gabriele Camozzi
Head of Marketing, Albini Group
![Chui-lian Lee](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-chui-lian-lee-2024.jpg)
Chui-lian Lee
Co-founder and CEO, Werewool
Schedule of Events
Events will be held in person, along with pre-recorded and livestreamed sessions for the FIT community and registered attendees. Please check back for updated speakers and schedule information.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainabiltiy-conference-graphic-black-2024.jpg)
9:30 am
Conference Check-In and Coffee Networking
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainabiltiy-conference-graphic-green-2024.jpg)
10:00 am
Opening Remarks and Land Acknowledgement
Dr. Joyce F. Brown, President, FIT
Dr. Karen R. Pearson, Chair, Sustainability Council, FIT
![The Suppy Chain and t=Business of the Future graphic](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-supply-chain-businesses-black-2024.png)
10:15–11 am
April Calahan and Rachel Slade
Dressed:The History of Fashion podcast (live podcast)
April Calahan, Executive Producer/Co-Host, Dressed: The History of Fashion podcast
Rachel Slade, Author, Making It in America
![Design and Eco-Responsibility green graphic](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-design-eco-responsibility-green-2024.png)
11–11:40 am
Environmentally Conscious Design
Hillary Taymour, Designer, Collina Strada
Andrea Diodati, Assistant Professor, Fashion Design, FIT
![The Suppy Chain and t=Business of the Future graphic](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-supply-chain-businesses-black-2024.png)
11:40 am–12:15 pm
The Supply Chain and Businesses of the Future
Gabriele Camozzi, Head of Marketing, Albini Group
Moderator: Salvatore Giardina, Assistant Professor, Production Management, FIT
Sustainable Production and Supply Chain Traceability: Albini Group—a look at how textile mills support sustainable solutions and production in the fashion industry
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainabiltiy-conference-graphic-green-2024.jpg)
12:15–1 pm
Lunch Break
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-collaborations-partnerships-black-2024.png)
1–2 pm
Opening Keynote
Stacy Flynn, CEO and Co-Founder of Evrnu; FIT alum, Textile Development and Marketing
The Nucycl | Bevans Hoodie Partnership
Christopher Bevans, Creative Director; FIT alum
Stacy Flynn, CEO and Co-Founder, Evrnu; FIT alum, Textile Development and Marketing
Moderator: Whitney Crutchfield, Assistant Professor, Textile Development and Marketing, FIT
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-communications-global-committments-green-2024.png)
2:30–3:30 pm
Reimagining our Future by Taking Care of the Present
Rajiv Joshi, Economist, Community Organizer, Entrepreneurial Leader
Vic Barrett, American Climate Activist
Sophia Kianni, Social Entrepreneur and Activist
Moderator: Amber Valletta, Fashion Model, Actress, Entrepreneur, Activist, FIT’s Sustainability Ambassador
Discussing the importance of cultivating inner resilience, self care, and connection to nature as a way to deepen one’s work in the climate crisis. Finding and sharing peace in challenging times.
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-communications-global-committments-black-2024.png)
3:45–4:30 pm
Anticipation and Global Commitments in Sustainability
Frederico Brugnoli, Founding Director and CEO, Spin360
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-supply-chain-businesses-green-2024.png)
4:30–5 pm
Building a New Business: Sustainability in Beauty and Fashion
Jesper Gudbergsen, Editor-in-Chief, Submission Beauty
Tania Ali, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cadre Style, Inc
Moderator: Jennifer Walsh, Entrepreneur
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainabiltiy-conference-graphic-black-2024.jpg)
9:30 am
Conference Check-In and Coffee Networking
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainabiltiy-conference-graphic-green-2024.jpg)
10 am
Conference Day Two Welcome
Dr. Colleen Hill, Curator of Costume and Accessories, The Museum at FIT
Andrea Diodati, Assistant Professor, Fashion Design, FIT
![Eco-Responsibility](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-design-eco-responsibility-black-2024.png)
10–10:45 am
Innovation for EcoDesign
Gabriele Camozzi, Head of Marketing, Albini
Aleks Gosiewski, Co-Founder and COO, Keel Labs
Chui-Lian Lee, Co-Founder and CEO, Werewool
Moderator: Dr. Casey Lardener, Lab and Operations Manager, Genspace
![Communication and Global Commitments in Sustainability](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-communications-global-committments-green-2024.png)
10:50–11:20 am
Agents for Change
Melody Serafino, Co-Founder, No. 29 Communications
![Design and Eco-Responsibility](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-design-eco-responsibility-black-2024.png)
11:25 am–12 pm
Designing Eco-Inspired Spaces
Dr. Tuwanda Green, Adjunct Professor, Virginia Tech College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
Robert Hammond, President and Chief Strategy Officer for Therme Group US
Moderator: Ethan Lu, Professor and Assistant Chair, Interior Design, FIT
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainabiltiy-conference-graphic-green-2024.jpg)
12–2 pm
Focus Group Lunch
Great Hall
Dr. Theanne Schiros: National Geographic Explorer Classroom, Bio-Design (Video)
Michael Ferraro: Executive Director, FIT Design and Technology Lab (DTech)
Caroline Gordon: “Ladies Who Launch” and ESG’s
Lindsay Humphreys: Policies, transparency, and traceability within the supply chain
![Collaborations and Partnerships for Change](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-collaborations-partnerships-black-2024.png)
2–2:45 pm
Fashion Accountability, Social Justice, Call to Action
Kimberly Jenkins, Founder, CEO and Principal Researcher, The Fashion and Race Database
Julie Mastrarrigo, Managing Director, ReMake New York
![Collaborations and Partnerships for Change](/images/fit-sustainability-conference-collaborations-partnerships-green-2024.png)
3–3:45 pm
Fashion Innovation Center
Dr. Theanne Schiros, Associate Professor, Science and Math, FIT
Andrea Diodati, Assistant Professor, Fashion Design, FIT
Cecilia Tkaczyk, Sheep Farmer and Owner of CeCe's Wool
Eric De Feo, Co-Founder, Made X Hudson
Sergio Guadarrama, Co-Founder, Made X Hudson
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainabiltiy-conference-graphic-green-2024.jpg)
4 pm
Closing Speaker (TBA)
![FIT Sustainability Conference: Reimagining Our Future](/images/fit-sustainabiltiy-conference-graphic-black-2024.jpg)
5–7 pm
FIT Changemaker Award
Closing Reception
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For general information or questions, email [email protected].
Conference Overview
Each year, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) organizes and hosts a sustainable business and design conference. The event is recognized as a platform for collaboration and discussion across the creative industries, highlighting advances in sustainable design and cutting-edge thought leadership. By sharing innovative student projects, cross-institutional research, and industry partnerships, the conference explores solutions to the most pressing environmental and social challenges of our time. In recent years, session topics have included the farm-to-fashion movement, biomaterials innovation, a sustainable supply chain, mindfulness in design, and recyclable packaging materials. The wide-ranging program features keynote speakers, panels, and projects that delve into pressing issues and exciting developments in the industry.