On September 9th, upcycling brand Versatile Forever, fashion platform Fashion in Flux, and the New Institute invite you to an inspiring presentation on the future of sustainable fashion. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn from pioneers and engage in discussions about building a successful business within circular fashion. What are the business models of the future? What choices should you make to structure your business in a sustainable way? Textile waste remains a significant challenge for the fashion industry, with only a small percentage being reused or recycled locally. During this event, we will dive into this issue and explore the innovative solutions offered by companies like Peterson + Stoop to drive change. The Dutch upcycling brand Peterson + Stoop, known for their innovative approach to shoe design, will share their insights in a live interview. Founders Jelske Peterson and Jarah Stoop create unique designs by reusing and upcycling discarded shoes. During the interview, they will discuss the business challenges they have faced, such as scaling production, securing sustainable funding, and building a brand identity that stays true to their circular mission. Discover how Jelske and Jarah have balanced their creative vision with business realities, and how they have successfully turned their innovative ideas into a sustainable and thriving company. In addition, an exciting international guest will be featured in the program. This expert will share insights on successfully establishing a circular business, with a focus on reuse and recycling. Finally, we will reflect on the past few months of Versatile Academy. Our four participants stand at the forefront of change. During this evening, we will ask them: what does the future of fashion business look like in their ideal world? Versatile Academy This event is part of the third ‘Academy Week’ of Versatile Academy, a program aimed at bridging the gap between small-scale fashion labels and textile sorting and recycling companies. Over six months, four fashion designers are challenged to immerse themselves in the textile sorting and recycling process and rethink how we find, sort, value, and reuse second-hand textiles. Versatile Academy is an initiative of the Rotterdam-based fashion brand Versatile Forever and is organized in close collaboration with the platform Fashion in Flux. The project is supported by sorting and recycling company Opnieuw Goed, the Creative Industries Fund NL, and the Municipality of Rotterdam. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from experts and be inspired by the future of sustainable fashion. Register now for the event and become part of a movement that will forever change fashion.