AW25 CPHFW Talk Series – Empowering Visionaries: Supporting Fashion’s Next Gen Creatives

How can structural ecosystems be fostered to ensure emerging creatives not only survive, but also thrive?

The future of fashion lies in the hands of emerging talent, but how to ensure they succeed in an ever-competitive industry? This session explores the systems, mentorships, and resources needed to empower the next generation of designers, artists, and innovators. Industry leaders and up-and-coming creatives will discuss bridging gaps in access, fostering sustainable practices, and building resilient communities. Gain insights into creating equitable opportunities that enable fresh voices to thrive while contributing to a growing fashion ecosystem.

Moderator:

Kirsty McGregor, Executive European Editor, Vogue Business

Kirsty McGregor is Executive European Editor at Vogue Business, where she guides the content strategy with a focus on the sustainability and cultural trends that are impacting the fashion and beauty industries. She was previously Editor of UK-based fashion trade magazine Drapers, and has a background of social policy journalism.

Panelists:

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week

Cecilie Thorsmark is the CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week. Following Thorsmark’s appointment in 2018 came her announcement to transition the event into a pioneering industry platform and organisation with the capacity to further the industry’s sustainability potential. In January 2020, Thorsmark launched the ambitious three-year action plan “Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week” presenting an innovative system of minimum sustainability requirements for all brands on the official show schedule. The system successfully came into effect in 2023, making Copenhagen Fashion Week the first and only fashion week worldwide to introduce a mandatory set of sustainability requirements. In 2022, Thorsmark was inaugurated into The BoF 500, the definitive professional index of the people shaping the $2.4 trillion fashion industry. Prior to joining Copenhagen Fashion Week, Thorsmark held the position of Global Fashion Agenda’s Communication Director for two years, following a six-year tenure at the Danish Fashion Institute.

Denise Christensen, CEO, Birger Christensen Collective

Denise Christensen is the Chief Executive Officer for the renowned Copenhagen Fashion collective, Birger Christensen Collective. On joining BCC in 2017, Christensen transformed the heritage brand to the contemporary hub for new talent that it is today, collaborating with Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars to create ROTATE in 2018, and subsequently starting the brand REMAIN as a counterpart in 2019. Christensen’s prolific career in Wholesale, Retail and General Management at some of Denmark’s leading Fashion and Luxury companies has informed her successful approach to commercial strategies and brand positioning, seeing the value in collaboration and celebrating new talent both within and outside of the Birger Christensen Collective family.

Hacinta Naidoo, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Zalando

Hacinta Naidoo, a South African-born leader, is Head of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) at Zalando. Guiding the team responsible for the D&I strategy and governance, she is driving the pan-European company towards becoming a trailblazer in equity and inclusion. With a wealth of experience in organisational change and talent acquisition from her time at renowned companies like Ralph Lauren, Hacinta is deeply committed to fostering a workplace where diversity thrives, and everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Passionate about shaping the future, she believes that we hold the responsibility to ensure equitable opportunities for the next generation, setting the stage for lasting change.

Omoyemi Akerele, Founder and Executive Director, Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files

Omoyemi Akerele is the Founder and Executive Director of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, a pioneering fashion business development agency. With over two decades of experience, she has been instrumental in shaping the African fashion landscape and positioning it as a key player in the global creative economy.Through Lagos Fashion Week, Omoyemi provides a dynamic platform for discovering and showcasing African talent while fostering connections between designers, investors, and global markets. Her work with Style House Files focuses on driving sustainable growth within the textile and apparel sectors, advocating for circular fashion practices, and empowering creative businesses to thrive locally and internationally. Omoyemi collaborates with organizations like Prosper Africa and the United Nations’ SheTrades initiative to promote industrial garment production and capacity building for export and local markets. She is also a trusted voice on global advisory councils, including the Sustainable Markets Initiative (Africa Council), the State of Fashion (Netherlands), and the Mastercard Foundation (Nigeria). A recognized thought leader and member of the Business of Fashion Global 500 index since inception, Omoyemi is committed to transforming Africa’s fashion industry into a globally respected, environmentally responsible, and economically empowering force.

Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director, Fondazione Sozzani & International New Talent and Brands Ambassador, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana

Sara Sozzani Maino is deeply committed to responsibility, education, and addressing social issues, particularly within the fashion industry and known for her work in nurturing and promoting emerging talent. Appointed International Brand Ambassador for the National Chamber of Italian Fashion. Since 2021 Sara Sozzani Maino plays an active role in the Fondazione Sozzani as its creative director.