Fashion is more than just trends; it's a reflection of economic and societal shifts and historical currents. During this ESHCC alumni event we will delve into the new opportunities and challenges in the fashion and textile industry, especially in relation to its sustainability transition.
- Date
- Tuesday 31 Mar 2026, 16:00 - 19:00
- Type
- Alumni
- Spoken Language
- English
- Location
C1-1 (Theil Building)
Join us on Tuesday 31 March for an inspiring afternoon where you can learn how academia, industry, and policy collaborate to drive systemic change, reduce carbon footprints, promote ethical standards and challenge social narratives.
We will hear from Mariangela Lavanga, Associate Professor of Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship at Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC), who will share the current state in research, education and engagement at EUR around the sustainability transition of the fashion and textile industry (i.e. EU funded Horizon FABRIX project, Master specialisation Fashion Transition), reflecting on the role of academia in this transformation.
In the roundtable discussion that follows, Ben Wubs, Professor of International Business History and co-author of the recently published book “Capitalism’s Favorite Child: Global Fashion Business since 1850”, and two ESHCC alumnae working in the field – Alice Janssens and Sunniva Ottestad – will examine the role of the fashion industry in society, and its importance in the construction of identities. The conversation will delve into the business history of the industry, the social and environmental challenges that it faces, the opportunities it offers, and its relationship with new technologies.
We conclude the day with a networking drinks moment, where you will have the chance to catch up with friends and former classmates or even make new exciting connections.
Programme
| 15:30 - 16:00 | Walk-in & registration |
| 16:00 - 16:10 | Welcome & opening - Marloes van Hooijdonk (Alumni Officer, ESHCC) |
| 16:10 - 16:30 | Introduction: The role of academia in the sustainability transition of the fashion and textile industry - Mariangela Lavanga (Associate Professor of Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship, ESHCC) |
| 16:30-17:30 | Roundtable discussion: “Fashion as a Fertile Ground for Social, Economic and Technological Innovation” with:
Moderator: Ana Uribe Sandoval (Senior Lecturer at the Media and Communication Department, ESHCC). |
| 17:30-17:35 | Wrap up |
| 17:35-19:00 | Networking drinks at Cafe in de Smitse |
Registration
You can register for the alumni event by filling in this form.
For inspiration
Read about the transition to just fashion in Erasmus Extra & in our latest magazine Just Fashion Transition or watch the episode of Erasmus University Rotterdam - Impact In Sight on Sustainability and Fashion where we talk also about the Minor Fashion Industry!
Listen to the recent Boekmanstichting podcast “Cultuur als probleemoplosser? Andere (eco)systemen voor mode – Culture as problem solver? A different (eco)system for fashion”!
ESHCC speakers & contributors
- More information
This event is mainly organised for alumni from Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, but (EUR) graduates from the minor Fashion Industry are also welcome to participate.
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