On 16 October at the University of Manchester, the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI) will host its 2025 conference. The event will bring together a diverse community of industry leaders to explore how we can bring about meaningful change within the industry while remaining profitable. Attendees can learn from the experts and get practical, actionable advice from experienced big-name retail speakers.
Throughout the conference, experts will share their insights on an array of topics. From product development to end of life and reuse, AI and emerging technologies, circularity, and regulation, including digital product passports.
Key sessions
Some of the key sessions will include keynote speaker Tamara Sender Ceron of Mintel and author of the Mintel UK Fashion Sustainability Market Report 2025, who will set the scene with an overview of the current landscape from a consumer’s perspective, while sharing insights from her Mintel report.
Next’s Lysette Kuwaki, digital product creation lead, will share how the business is navigating its digital product development transformation. Find out more about the brand’s journey, from AI-enhanced design and block building to supplier engagement and digital twins.
Incorporating sustainability from the very start is key, and Joe Darwin from CircKit will discuss how brands and retailers can leverage the latest AI technologies to embed sustainable and circular practices in the design process.
Circularity and durability will be a major focus at the ASBCI Conference. For preloved garments to be sold, donated or repurposed, they require gentle care that helps retain colour, shape and fabric condition. Tony Chvala, president of GreenEarth Cleaning, will explain how to achieve true product circularity.
Commenting is Kirsty Holdsworth, general manager at ASBCI
“We know that change is needed, and we know what needs to be done, but how do we actually get there? That is the challenge. We’re all talking about sustainability, but understanding what steps to take and what is right for each brand or business can be daunting. This year, we wanted to ensure that all attendees walk away from the conference with key learnings and tangible action points that they can apply to their businesses.”
Hosted by the University of Manchester, the event will combine keynote presentations with panel discussions and fireside chats to cover the hot topics of the day and the urgent imperative for change.
Speakers will consider both upstream and downstream processes, covering design, development and materials, manufacturing, and the supply chain, before looking at retail, consumer behaviour, and the business models that will allow all sections of the industry to thrive. There will be discussions around circularity and durability, and a spotlight on the regulatory landscape as a catalyst for change. Click here for tickets and a full agenda.