The BRICS+ Fashion Summit, held from 3 to 5 October 2024, has successfully concluded in Moscow, cementing the city’s position on the global fashion map. Following the prestigious fashion weeks of Milan and Paris, this landmark event brought together representatives from over 100 countries across five continents, showcasing the growing influence of BRICS nations in the fashion industry.

The Summit served as a practical platform for exploring diverse cultural heritages, with a particular focus on modest fashion, business partnerships, and traditional craft techniques. As the fashion industry continues to gain prominence within BRICS economies, the event highlighted the robust ecosystems emerging to support various aspects of the industry, from supply chain management to production and marketing.

Malaysia, a recent applicant to join BRICS, leveraged this opportunity to expand its global presence. With a fashion market valued at $3 billion and projected to grow by 10% by 2029, the country sent a delegation led by Jay Ishak, President of the Malaysian Official Designers’ Association. Ishak, attending for the second time, emphasized the Summit’s role in fostering cultural exchange and economic development, particularly for small and mid-sized fashion brands seeking international exposure.

The Summit’s Business program proved to be informative and engaging, featuring over 40 sessions with global fashion industry leaders. A highlight of the event was the ‘Heritage’ exhibition, which showcased artisanal crafts from more than 40 countries. Malaysian brand Yani Bakhtiar joined designers from across Southeast Asia in presenting their cultural identity through a modern lens.

Running parallel to the Summit, Moscow Fashion Week (4 – 9 October 2024) further showcased designers from BRICS nations and beyond, continuing the momentum of global fashion dialogue.

The BRICS+ Fashion Summit stood as a testament to fashion’s power to unite diverse cultures and shape the industry’s future. Building on last year’s success, which facilitated international designer exchanges between fashion associations from China, India, Russia, and other nations, this year’s event fostered even greater collaboration and impact on economic growth and sustainability in the fashion sector.

For more information, visit fashionsummit.org

.