Translated by Sofia Bohórquez
Continuing with the European tour, Madrid, Spain, received on November 3rd its MOLA Fashion Talks at ISEM Fashion Business School.
Under the slogan “Involucrando a la comunidad en el hacer moda”, (Involving the community in the fashion making), the event gathered diverse fashion figures to debate and analyze the fashion industry. When we talk about promoting sustainability and manufacturing in a conscious way it is important to not place all the weight on a single link but recognize all the parts of the production chain. It is essential to highlight human capital, artisan work, non-profit organizations and all those communities that are directly or indirectly linked to the industry.
The day’s agenda was full of training sessions and distinguished guests. It began with the help of Paloma García, Presidents of SIC MODA and CSFW Madrid director, with a talk focused on sustainable re-localization in fashion. Later, the director of the Master in Fashion Business Administration and the program Right Fashion of ISEM, Silvia Pérez Bou, invited the attendees to reflect on the paradigm shift in thinking about all the actors involved in the production chain. To conclude the training sessions, Valentina Suárez, director of Universo MOLA, shared a presentation about regeneration through fashion.
To finish with this encounter, it was made a panel discussion moderated by Paloma García together with the following professionals: Nuria Rodríguez Sánchez, Founder and CEO of EcoVisc Confección Sostenible, and Raquel López Labiano, Community Manager and Content Creator of PEFC España, who participated online, while Elena de Frutos, creative director of Elena de Frutos Novias, Valentina Suárez, and Silvia Pérez Bou were at the event in person.
“The depth of the contents covered was fascinating. It stood out for the relevance of understanding our position as designers, highlighting the crucial importance of the academy and education. Emphasis was placed on the citizen role in the understanding of consumer habits and acts of purchase, especially in relation to accessibility and the purchasing power of people,” says Valentina Suárez.
It was also emphasized that the sustainability should not be associated with expensiveness, but with fairness. It is important to certificate the processes and provide security and support to the actors involved. The connection between human rights and the sewing workshop environment has a big impact, especially on the women in the industry.
We also have the presence of Doris Helena Rojas, director of the Foundation Entre Soles y Lunas and the Ambassador of Uruguay in Spain, Ana Teresa Ayala. Two fundamental pillars made possible this event.
It is extremely gratifying to be Latin American fashion carriers in Europe and witness the constant growth of Universo MOLA. Every day, we see how our vision and commitment to sustainability resonate in a more broadly defined way. This journey fills us with joy and drives us to keep moving forward. With the satisfaction of what has been achieved, we prepare ourselves for the next destination of our tour: Barcelona.
