Translated by Sofia Bohórquez
After two MOLA talks in London and Madrid, we arrive at our last destination: Barcelona. Universo MOLA, a program of the Foundation Entre Soles y Lunas, through a day of training sessions to raise the collective awareness of the textile industry.
On November 7th, in the IED Barcelona, Spain, was carried out a new MOLA Talks with deluxe guests. In order to debate, exchange, and inform, a discussion panel moderated by the journalist and founder of the brand Free Form Style, Marina Vergés, where Valentina Suárez, director of Universo MOLA, Gabriella Pedranti of Asociación de Moda Sostenible de Barcelona, and Pablo Erroz, Coordinator of the Master Diseño de Moda Masculina in IED Barcelona, exposed their ideas and experiences around sustainable fashion.
As discussed, it is important to highlight that the focus should be on the creation of communities. Through stories and narratives, it is fundamental to engage the consumer and integrate them into the process and the developing universe. What is the current aspirational? What is contemporary luxury? Which aspects motivate someone with certain interests and traits to become part of a community and, therefore, to desire my product? The generation of a collective awareness appears with the creation of connection points between all the people involved, promoting mutual learning.
The role of the consumer in the value chain of a product is classified into three different types: those that do not have information, those with knowledge, and those who, in addition to being informed, take particular actions. On different occasions, a lot of individuals consider that they consume sustainably through slow fashion, but when their habits are analyzed, this perception may not align with reality.
Awareness, from this view, is fundamental to synchronizing the intentions with the actions. Influencers emerge as a valuable tool in this process, since they can play a crucial role in the education and consciousness of sustainable practices. Consumers should be encouraged to reflect on the real need and usefulness of a product before acquiring it. This approach not only promotes greater responsibility for consumption but also contributes to a deeper awareness of the impact of our choices on the environment and society as a whole.
The event finished with a networking space where the attendees established and cultivated professional relationships, meeting new perspectives and resources.
Although we have come to the end of this fascinating journey, Universo MOLA in Europe does not end here, this is just the beginning of new achievements. The ability to show what Universo MOLA is and to achieve such a significant impact is extremely gratifying. We are excited to continue to share the wealth an innovation of Latin American sustainable fashion, and we are conscious that this journey is just the first chapter of a story that continues to evolve and expand.
