#YouthEmpowered and Fashion: AR-technologies, digitalization and sustainability

Belarus Fashion Council and Coca‑Cola HBC Belarus partnered to organize two seminars. The first day — Fashion Tech Hub — was a combination of fashion, technologies and business, and the second day — Belarus Fashion Forum — was dedicated to sustainable fashion

Yanina Hancharova, Belarus Fashion Week founder and Head of Belarusian Fashion Council, says, “Education is one of the main goals of the 19th season of Belarus Fashion Week. Fashion Tech Hub and Belarus Fashion Forum are not just seminars, but a project that moves us in the right direction. And I think that next year we will open the doors of the fashion and tech hub where young people can learn and share their knowledge as well”.

Fashion Tech Hub gave young designers a deep dive into fashion retail trends, such as resale and conscious consumption, usage of AR-technologies. International speakers shared their insights during the trainings: how to communicate with a client, rise funds, reduce potential losses, monetize and promote business.

At Belarus Fashion Forum, speakers from Russia, Sweden, Germany, Ireland and Belarus shared their experience and ideas about sustainable fashion. The topic is in line with World Without Waste strategy and Sustainability commitments. With the support of the Embassy of Sweden in Belarus #YouthEmpowered programme participants learnt how to set up sustainable supply chain based on eco-friendly practices, such as water-free fabric dyeing. Experts discussed sustainability, successful eco-collaborations (e.g. Coca‑Cola and Diesel), described the best ways to reduce the ecological footprint for new brands.

Marina Borovko, PA&C Manager at Coca‑Cola HBC Belarus says, “It is the first time #YouthEmpowered programme partners with Belarus Fashion Week. I think it is very useful for entrepreneurs who make their first steps in fashion industry. We've chosen the most relevant topics for Belarus — digitalization and sustainable fashion — and trained more than 100 people. I hope #YouthEmpowered programme will inspire participants to achieve more and open their own business”.

Twenty speakers shared a concept of an integrated approach starting from cooperation with suppliers and contractors to design of the final product and its lifetime. After the presentations, the participants discussed the issues of fashion industry.

More than 1,500 young Belarussians were trained thanks to #YouthEmpowered international program since 2017. #YouthEmpowered business schools include a four-day course of lectures, seminars, business games and panel discussions aimed at developing business skills, personal growth, improving financial and legal literacy.