Data and Traceability Drive Discussions at the 12th Annual 4sustainability Event

The 12th annual 4sustainability event unfolded on October 3, 2025, at Eurojersey’s headquarters in Caronno Pertusella, Italy. Organized by Ympact, a pioneering ecosystem that connects brands with their supply chains, the event attracted over 500 participants, both in-person and online. The focus was on the critical themes of data, traceability, and sustainable practices within the fashion industry.

A Gathering of Industry Leaders

Ympact, co-founded by Francesca Rulli and Massimo Brandellero, is part of the YHub Group, which includes notable shareholders such as Brunello Cucinelli SpA and Giorgio Armani SpA. The event served as a platform for industry leaders to discuss the pressing need for sustainable practices in fashion, emphasizing the importance of tracking product and process data to minimize environmental impacts.

Andrea Crespi, general manager of Eurojersey, welcomed attendees with a strong message about the value of Italian craftsmanship. “What is produced in our country is expensive because it is made with quality materials, by skilled people and with the best technologies,” Crespi stated. He warned that without recognizing this value, the Italian supply chain risks losing its competitive edge.

Megatrends Shaping the Future of Fashion

Valentina Boschetto Doorly, an associate partner at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, presented four megatrends that are reshaping the fashion landscape: climate change, demographic shifts, technological advancements, and deglobalization. She described the current era as a “new world disorder,” where the balance of economic power is shifting from the West to the East, particularly to China, while Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050.

“Fashion today is bulimic,” Boschetto Doorly remarked, highlighting the rapid product life cycles that have led to a disconnect between price and value. She urged the industry to adopt a more conscious approach, recognizing its role as a steward of the environment.

Tracing Fashion to a Responsible Future

Rulli and Brandellero introduced Ympact’s vision encapsulated in the tagline “Tracing Fashion to a Responsible Future.” They emphasized the importance of data tracing in establishing responsible production models. The Digital Product Passport (DPP), mandated by the European Ecodesign Regulation, was highlighted as a crucial tool for brands to combat counterfeiting, an industry that costs approximately $2 billion annually.

Michele Zuccheri from Certilogo and Carolynn Bernier from the CIRPASS-2 consortium discussed the significance of systematic data collection in driving genuine improvements in sustainability. “Data should not be seen as brand control over the supply chain but as something that strengthens trust and brings transparency,” said Alessandro Barrani from Prada.

The Supplier Perspective

Elisa Santi, sustainability manager at Beste, a Tuscan luxury fabric company, shared insights from the supplier’s viewpoint. She noted that while transparency requests from brands were initially seen as burdensome, they ultimately provided an opportunity for improvement. “Traceability today should not be seen as an obligation; there must be a change in mindset,” Santi emphasized.

The discussion also included insights from Rossella Ravagli, sustainability director at Giorgio Armani. She stressed the importance of robust supplier monitoring systems, including unannounced audits, to ensure compliance and protect human rights throughout the supply chain.

The Need for Harmonization

Speakers at the event underscored the necessity for standardized monitoring systems to alleviate the burden on suppliers. Without harmonization, suppliers face overwhelming and repetitive requests that lack value. In response, Ympact launched 4s ETHIC, a new initiative aimed at certifying suppliers’ compliance with environmental, social, and reputational standards.

Luca Sburlati, president of Confindustria Moda, highlighted the challenges facing the Italian textile industry, including a 3-4% decline in exports and a concerning rise in imports, particularly from China. He called for a collaborative approach to protect the integrity of the Italian supply chain, which generates €60 billion of the €90 billion value in textile, fashion, and leather goods.

A Call for Collective Action

Matteo Ward, CEO of Inside Out Fashion Textiles & Home, concluded the event with a rallying cry for the industry. “In this moment of destabilization, we must find the courage we have always shown in times of crisis to rewrite the rules,” he urged. Ward emphasized the need for collective action and strong leadership to navigate the complexities of sustainability in fashion.

Conclusion

The 12th annual 4sustainability event served as a vital forum for discussing the future of sustainable fashion. With a focus on data, traceability, and collaboration, industry leaders are beginning to recognize the importance of harmonized practices that not only protect the environment but also preserve the integrity of the Italian textile supply chain. As the fashion industry faces unprecedented challenges, the call for a collective, responsible approach has never been more urgent.