Milan Hosts Inaugural RLC Fashion Summit to Shape Global Fashion Strategies

Milan Hosts the Inaugural RLC Fashion Summit

The vibrant city of Milan took center stage in the global fashion narrative as it hosted the first RLC Fashion Summit, a significant convergence of industry leaders poised to influence the future of fashion, luxury, and retail.

On September 25, 2025, this landmark event took place at the MUDEC – Museo delle Culture, coinciding with the renowned Milan Fashion Week. With the theme "Forces of Tomorrow," it attracted over 200 senior executives from various sectors, including fashion, technology, and investment. The event was organized by the RLC Global Forum, which aims to unite diverse perspectives for collaborative innovation.

Chairman Panos Linardos opened the summit, stating, "The RLC Fashion Summit bridges the creativity of Milan Fashion Week with the strategic insights necessary to navigate our rapidly changing landscape." He emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting that fresh ideas in such a dynamic field are crucial for shaping the industry's future.

The summit featured a series of thought-provoking sessions that captured the essence of today's global fashion landscape. Here are some highlights of the discussions that unfolded:

Unlocking Growth in the Gulf's Fashion Landscape

Shane Eldstrom, CEO of United Developers in Qatar, and Georges Barakat from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund engaged in an insightful analysis of the Gulf region. They unravelled how changes in policy, infrastructure development, and shifting consumer trends are placing the Gulf on the path to becoming one of the fastest-growing hubs for luxury retail globally.

Emerging Markets: Growth Engines for Fashion

Jaume Miquel Naudi, CEO of Tendam in Spain, and Fabio Adegas Faccio, CEO of Lojas Renner in Brazil, shared interesting insights on how value fashion brands are successfully growing in Southeast Asia and Latin America. They discussed strategies focused on agility, affordability, and cultural relevance, vital for tapping into these vibrant markets.

Leading the Intelligent Fashion Age

Professor Emanuela Prandelli from Bocconi University discussed the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the fashion industry. She emphasized its role in innovation, personalizing consumer experiences, optimizing supply chains, and ensuring brand safety in today's market.

Redefining Prestige in Fashion

A panel featuring Giuseppe Santoni, Executive Chairman of Santoni, and Altagamma CEO Stefania Lazzaroni, moderated by Filippo Bianchi from BCG, explored how Italian fashion brands are adapting to a new breed of consumers while maintaining their global standards in craftsmanship.

Middle East: Insights into Growth Strategies

Michael Chalhoub, CEO of Chalhoub Group, participated in a compelling fireside chat with Panos Linardos. They highlighted how tourism, cultural initiatives, and sovereign wealth investments are paving the way for new growth avenues in the Middle East's retail and fashion sectors.

A recurring theme resonated throughout the summit: the global fashion landscape is evolving, driven by emerging markets, advanced business models, and innovative technologies. Regions such as the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are reshaping the market dynamics, characterized by youthful populations and increasing wealth. These elements are prompting global brands to find a balance between their heritage and expansion into future growth drivers.

The Milan summit is not a standalone event but part of a broader initiative to establish a global platform for the fashion industry. Following this, two significant upcoming events were announced: a CEO Summit in New York in October 2025 and the RLC Global Forum in Riyadh in February 2026. This series aims to keep the conversation going and put ideas into action in real-world scenarios.

As the fashion industry continues to navigate a complex and ever-evolving landscape, summits like this serve as important touchpoints, fostering dialogue and collaboration among key players, ultimately steering the fabric of tomorrow's fashion world.