27th MILAN Global Conference on Studies on Fashion, Sustainability & Global Challenges: GCSFSC-26

Call for papers/Topics

Topics of Interest for Submission include, but are Not Limited to:

1. Environmental Impact & Resource Management

This pillar focuses on the "footprint" of a garment from seed or petroleum to the landfill.

• Resource Depletion:

  • Water Scarcity: The "thirsty" nature of cotton (approx. 2,700 liters for one T-shirt).

  • Land Use: Deforestation for ancient-forest-based viscose and grazing land for livestock.

  • Energy Consumption: High carbon emissions from coal-powered factories in manufacturing hubs.

• Pollution & Waste:

  • Microplastics: Shedding of synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) into the oceans during washing.

  • Chemical Pollution: Toxic runoff from synthetic dyes and "forever chemicals" (PFAS) used for waterproofing.

  • Textile Waste: The "one garbage truck per second" statistic of clothes burned or landfilled.

  • Deadstock: Unsold inventory destroyed by luxury and mass-market brands to protect brand equity.

2. Social Justice & Ethical Challenges

This pillar addresses the human cost of the global garment supply chain.

• Labor Rights:

  • Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage: The gap between what workers are legally paid and what they need to survive.

  • Working Conditions: Building safety (post-Rana Plaza), ventilation, and exposure to toxic chemicals.

  • Modern Slavery: Forced labor and child labor in cotton harvesting or garment assembly.

• Gender & Vulnerability:

  • Gender Pay Gap: 80% of garment workers are women, often in low-level, high-risk roles.

  • Empowerment: The role of unions and collective bargaining in developing economies.

• Cultural & Global Equity:

  • Waste Colonialism: Shipping secondhand "waste" to Global South countries (e.g., Kantamanto Market in Ghana), overwhelming local economies.

3. The Circular Economy & New Business Models

Moving away from the linear "Take-Make-Waste" model toward a closed-loop system.

• Design for Circularity:

  • Longevity & Durability: Creating high-quality items meant to last decades, not seasons.

  • Recyclability: Designing "mono-material" garments (100% cotton vs. poly-blends) that are easier to recycle.

  • Modular Design: Clothes with detachable parts for easy repair or updating.

• Alternative Consumption Models:

  • Resale & Thrifting: The rise of "Re-commerce" (Depop, Vinted, brand-owned resale).

  • Rental & Subscription: "Fashion-as-a-service" to reduce the need for ownership (e.g., Rent the Runway).

  • Upcycling & Repair: Mending services and transforming waste into high-value products.

4. Innovation, Technology & Materials

The "Future of Fashion" focuses on science-based solutions to traditional problems.

• Next-Gen Materials:

  • Bio-fabrication: Lab-grown leather, mycelium (mushroom) leather, and algae-based fibers.

  • Recycled Fibers: Mechanical and chemical recycling of post-consumer textile waste.

  • Fruit Leathers: Textiles made from pineapple husks (Pinatex), apple skins, or grape waste.

• Digital Transformation:

  • Digital Product Passports (DPP): Blockchain-based IDs that track a garment's history for transparency.

  • AI in Supply Chains: Using AI to predict demand and reduce overproduction.

  • 3D Knitting & Printing: On-demand manufacturing that eliminates cutting waste.

5. Policy, Regulation & Global Governance

Governments are increasingly stepping in to force the industry to change.

• Legislative Frameworks:

  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Laws requiring brands to pay for the end-of-life treatment of their products.

  • Anti-Greenwashing Laws: Strict regulations on how brands can use terms like "eco-friendly" or "sustainable."

  • EU Textile Strategy: The 2030 vision for all textile products in the EU to be durable, repairable, and recyclable.

• Transparency & Disclosure:

  • Supply Chain Mapping: Requiring brands to disclose Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers (raw material to final stitch).