Participation to the 1st International Conference on Green Innovation & Circular Economy GRICE (griceconf.eu)
Organized by UNESCO Chair on Green Innovation & Circular Economy National Technical University of Athens
Topic Area: Circular Economy Ecosystem
Date: Monday 21st October 13:00-14:30
Location: Athen’s Municipality Spiritual Center, “Antonis Tritsis” Amphitheater Akadimias 50, Athina 106 79
Title: Fostering Local, Beautiful, and Sustainably Designed Regenerative Textile and Clothing Ecosystems: Insights from Horizon Fabrix
Panel Overview:
The European Union’s Industrial Strategy underscores a transition towards climate neutrality by 2050, positioning cities as engines of innovation. The President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen proposed a Circular Economy Act to help shift to more sustainable production and consumption for the next European Commission 2024–2029 (18 July 2024). The textile and clothing (T&C) sector, a significant contributor to the EU economy, faces the imperative to adopt sustainable, circular, and regenerative practices. With the consumption of clothing and footwear projected to increase by 63% by 2030, and textiles accounting for the highest cause of microplastic shedding into oceans (35%), the industry is at a pivotal crossroads.
This panel workshop, hosted within the context of the Horizon Fabrix project, brings together a diverse group of stakeholders—including academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and investors—to explore the development of localized, sustainably designed, regenerative T&C ecosystems in Athens, Rotterdam, and across Europe. The session aims to address the challenges and opportunities inherent in fostering urban manufacturing that is human-centered, ecologically resilient, circular, and digitally advanced.
Panel Chair:
• Dr. Fiori A. Zafeiropoulou, Partner, Horizon Fabrix; Head, Research Unit FRFashTech, Athens University of Economics and Business; Founder of SOFFA & Fashion Revolution Greece
Topic: Integrating Spatial and Relational Perspectives in Regenerative Textile Ecosystems: The Horizon Fabrix Approach
Guest Speakers (tbc):
• Professor George Priniotakis, Industrial Design & Production Engineering, University of West Attica
Topic: Regenerative Design of Textiles: Innovating Threads from Peach Fruit Fiber Waste- IBDPTEC Project
• Orsalia Parthenis, Owner, Parthenis; President, Greek Association of Fashion Designers
Topic: ‘The Bloomer’ Collection: Upcycling Unsold Luxury Garments through Parthenis * SOFFA Collaboration
• Gerasimos Kouvaras, CEO, World Human Forum; Former CEO, ActionAid Hellas
Topic: Human Flourishing and the New European Bauhaus: Transitioning to Ecosystems of Sustainability, Inclusion, and Beauty
• Nicholas Yatromanolakis, Board Member, B. Papantoniou Foundation; Former Deputy Minister, Ministry of Culture
Topic: The Role of Policymakers and Museums in Advancing Circular Ecosystems in the T&C Sector
• Dimitris Georgakopoulos, Impact Green Investor in Circular Economy
Topic: The Significance of Impact Green Investment in Ecosystem Development
• Garyfalia Pitsaki, Founder, 3Quarters
Topic: Transforming Invisible Residual Waste into Innovative Fashion Accessories
Artifacts from these circular design and manufacturing initiatives are featured in the Anniversary Exhibition ΔΙΑΣΜΑ for the 50 years of the B. Papantoniou Foundation at the Benaki Museum, within the section “Η Μόδα μέσα στο Περιβάλλον” (“Fashion within the Environment”), from 26th September 2024 to 12th January 2025.
