The United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting 2025

Above: Attendees at the 2025 UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting, held in the Economic and Social Council Chamber (ECOSOC) at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

New York City, New York - On May 19th, global leaders and changemakers gathered in New York at the United Nations Headquarters for the fourth United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting. Co-convened by the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Fashion Impact Fund -a program of PVBLIC Foundation- the event brought together numerous stakeholders across fashion, lifestyle, sustainability, and international policy. This year’s meeting marked a pivotal moment for the sector’s alignment with global impact priorities, offering a space to reflect, innovate, and collaborate on transformative strategies.

The United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network is a UN-hosted platform dedicated to accelerating progress on sustainable development by connecting diverse actors across the fashion and lifestyle sectors. Recognizing the industries’ profound environmental, economic, and societal influence, the Network actively advocates for transparent, inclusive, and transformative engagement among industry stakeholders, media, governments, and UN entities. Registered initiatives on the platform serve as powerful showcases, spotlighting how the fashion and lifestyle sectors are spearheading transformative change in pursuit of sustainable development. The Network currently comprises over 340 members across 125 countries, reflecting its expansive global reach and diversity.

The fourth edition of the Annual Meeting explored the critical challenges and opportunities shaping the future of fashion and lifestyle. Amid shifting trade landscapes, evolving global legislation, changing consumer behavior, and rapid market innovations, this convening spotlighted how these sectors can accelerate progress toward a sustainable future for all. Through high-level conversations, the event addressed themes such as responsible sourcing, circular business models, technology and design innovation, the rise of the second-hand economy, and the power of culture and creativity to drive systems change. Zero-waste approaches in fashion and textiles were also a major focus, with highlights on strategies and partnerships to minimize waste and promote circularity and resource efficiency. Fireside chats, panels, and showcases underscored the importance of collective action and cross-sector collaboration to reimagine these industries for a more inclusive and sustainable world.

Above: Kerry Bannigan, President of the Board of the PVBLIC Foundation and Co-Founder of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, at the fourth United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting.

The meeting opened with remarks from Kerry Bannigan, President of the Board of PVBLIC Foundation and Co-Founder of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, who underscored the urgent responsibility facing the industry today: “In this era of planetary and social urgency, creativity must be met with responsibility. Our industry decisions shape the realities of garment workers, artisans, and communities on the frontlines.” She was followed by Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the UN Office for Partnerships. Special remarks by H.E. Mr. Erik Ullenhag, Consul General of Sweden to New York, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in shaping a sustainable industry. As the afternoon unfolded, the event became a showcase of visionary voices committed to reshaping the systems that define fashion and lifestyle today.

Above: Annemarie Hou, Executive Director, UN Office for Partnerships, at the fourth United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting.

Above: H.E. Mr. Erik Ullenhag, Consul General of Sweden to New York, at the fourth United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting.

A range of sessions explored critical issues including circular business models, zero-waste design, and the rise of the second-hand economy. From “Policy for People and Planet” featuring leaders like Sara Ziff of Model Alliance, Abrima Erwiah, of Studio One Eighty Nine, and Michelle Gabriel of New Standard Institute, to “The Power of Platforms” with speakers including Federica Marchionni of the Global Fashion Agenda and Rick Davy of Brooklyn Fashion Week, conversations were grounded in action and strategy. “Fashion Forward: Sweden” spotlighted sustainability innovation with Paul Frankenius, Founder of Paul Frankenius Foundation, while “The Rise of the Second-Hand Market” featured leaders such as Samina Virk of Vestiaire Collective and Patrick Duffy of Global Fashion Exchange.

Above: (Left to right) Riefqah Jappie, Senior Liaison Office, International Telecommunication Union, and Aisling Camps, Founder and Creative Director, Aisling Knits Inc. during a High Level Fireside at the 2025 UN Fashion Lifestyle and Network Annual Meeting.

Above: (Left to right) Hilary Milnes, Executive America Editor, Vogue Business; Federica Marchionni, CEO, Global Fashion Agenda (UNFLN Member); Idelle Taye, CEO, Guzangs (UNFLN Member), and Rick Davy, Founder and Director of BK Style Foundation and the Fashion Week Brooklyn during the panel session ‘’The Power of Platforms’’ at the 2025 UN Fashion Lifestyle and Network Annual Meeting.

The meeting also illuminated innovation through design with contributions from Tricia Carey of Avalo, Beth Esponette of Unspun, and Sarika Bajaj of Refiberd. Members of top media outlets — including Rosemary Feitelberg, Senior Editor at Women’s Wear Daily; Hilary Milnes, Executive America Editor at Vogue Business; Dale Chong, Senior Fashion Commerce Editor at Elle; Jasmin Malik Chua, Labour and Sourcing Editor at Sourcing Journal; Dominic-Madori Davis, Senior Venture Capital and Startup Reporter at Tech Crunch; and Cassell Ferere, Editor at Forbes — served as moderators throughout the program. 

Above: (Left to right) Jasmin Malik Chua (Moderator), Labour and Sourcing Editor, Sourcing Journal; Thomas Matiz, Global Product Sustainability, Lenzing (UNFLN Member), and Monica Santos, Founder and Creative Director, Santos by Monica (UNFLN Member), during the panel session ‘’Industry in Transition’’ at the 2025 UN Fashion Lifestyle and Network Annual Meeting.

Discussions moved seamlessly into deeper reflections on industry evolution and cultural influence. From honoring trailblazers like the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas to exploring the emotional and historical impact of fashion through “The Art of Change,” participants were reminded that transformation is as much cultural as it is technical. The conversation around zero-waste practices featured powerful insights from Maria Cornejo of Zero + Maria Cornejo, Daniel Silverstein of Zero Waste Daniel, and Camille Tagle of FABSCRAP, complemented by a special message from H.E. Mrs. Aslı Güven, Deputy Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations and a video from the United Nations Environment Programme.

Above: (Left to right) Cassell Ferere (Moderator), Editor, Forbes; Maria Cornejo, Founder and Creative Director, Zero + Maria Cornejo; Daniel Silverstein, Designer, Zero Waste Daniel; Camille Tagle, CoFounder & Creative Director FABSCRAP (UNFLN Member) during the panel session ‘’Zero Waste in Action’’ at the 2025 UN Fashion Lifestyle and Network Annual Meeting.

Above: H.E. Mrs. Aslı Güven, Deputy Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations, at the fourth United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting.

The closing reflections from Kerry Bannigan and Lucie Brigham of the UN Office for Partnerships captured the spirit of the gathering: urgent, collaborative, and determined to push beyond rhetoric toward measurable impact. The event concluded with a message from the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, reinforcing that the pathway to sustainability lies in unity across sectors, disciplines, and borders.

The United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network is a collaborative initiative of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, the Fashion Impact Fund – a program of PVBLIC Foundation, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

To view images from the event, visit our dedicated Flickr album here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCf7mY 

To watch the panel discussions on demand, visit: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1b/k1b5pulqpx