A Flourishing Fashion System for 2040

A Flourishing Fashion System for 2040 is a Living Lab workshop that brings people from across fashion and textiles – including industry, education and research, policymakers, local government and community – into a shared space to co-create practical pathways for accelerating circular textiles. Together, participants will identify the “cracks” in today’s linear model and the conditions needed for a flourishing fashion system.

A central question guides the session: how can we reduce volume while still creating economic, social and cultural value? The workshop explores system change through a wellbeing lens – ‘being well, feeling well, doing well’ – so circular choices become meaningful, desirable and easier for industry and consumers.

Participants can expect a structured, in-person format that supports cross-sector exchange. Short contributions from invited speakers set the context, followed by small-group activities designed to ensure different stakeholder perspectives are heard. The session will capture key themes through live issues mapping and generate a shortlist of pilot ideas for further development. Participants will leave with new connections, a shared understanding of challenges and opportunities, and a starting point for collaboration. Refreshments provided.

Workshop Facilitators:
Professor Alice Payne, Dean, School of Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University
Associate Professor Jenny Underwood, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation, School of Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University
Associate Professor Rimi Khan, Vice Chancellor’s Principal Research Fellow, School of Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University
Dr Rashmita Bardalai, Lecturer, School of Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University