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linkedin Interview #8 - Helena Helmersson; Chairperson Circulose
Why #Sustainability is the Next Wave of #Disruption in the #Fashion Industry During my recent visit to Stockholm, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Helena Helmersson for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of sustainability in fashion. Helena’s new role as Chairperson of Circulose, a leading Nordic recycling innovator, made this a natural focal point for our discussion.
event May 2024 Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2024
At Global Fashion Agenda Summit 2024 in Copenhagen Achim Berg was on Stage to discuss and share insights on scaling circularity in fashion and to discuss why luxury players hesitate to embrace #Rent #Resell and #Repair.
The theme of the summit, 'Unlocking the Next Level,' perfectly aligns with the need to move from commitment to action after 15 years of awareness creation.
event November 2025 Borås Textile Days
At the 2025 Borås Textile Days in Sweden, Achim will deliver a keynote on sustainable and circular fashion business models and the Nordics’ role as a sustainability hub for the industry.
Despite early awareness of its environmental impact, fashion arrived late to actual sustainability commitments. Shifting to a circular economy is required for the industry to finally walk the talk.
We delved deeply into resale, exploring the challenges and opportunities of the secondhand market and how Sweden is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of change. With a strong sustainability mindset, progressive regulation, modern resale concepts, pioneering companies and institutions such as theTextile Fashion Center, Sweden shows what’s possible when responsibility, innovation and research come together in fashion.
linkedin Interview #28 - Thomas Tochtermann, Chairman GFA
Why is sustainability taking a “peaceful pause” in fashion? This was the core theme of my recent conversation with Thomas Tochtermann, Chairman of the Global Fashion Agenda. Thomas is a passionate and influential voice for a more sustainable future in fashion. After a distinguished career at McKinsey & Company, he now serves as a board professional for various fashion and consumer companies. I’ve had the privilege of calling him a mentor during my McKinsey years, where he co-founded and championed the Apparel, Fashion & Luxury (AF&L) practice - and he’s remained a trusted friend ever since. In our discussion, we unpacked why sustainability in fashion appears to be facing more headwinds today than just three years ago. Why aren’t consumers willing to pay for sustainable choices? And why, despite all this, does Thomas remain hashtag#optimistic about the industry’s path to true sustainability? This thoughtful conversation is part of my ongoing interview series for my upcoming book on The Future of Fashion.
press June 2024 Op-Ed: Fashion Can’t Wait on Regulation to Act on Sustainabi...
businessoffashion.comIn his Op-Ed, Achim comments on the current state and progress of sustainability in the fashion industry and what regulation can do for it (or not).
Fashion's sustainability efforts have grown in importance, yet significant challenges remain as consumption, emissions, and pollution continue to rise. While many hope that regulation will drive change by forcing brands to deliver on climate commitments, there is concern that relying on slow-moving policies will further delay progress. Industry leaders, especially its “super winners,” must take responsibility and accelerate their sustainability initiatives, or risk being overtaken by more innovative competitors.
press May 2024 Lemonade is made with lemons and how Shein snuck into the Su...
Modeas.com by Pilar RiañoAchim speaks about circular business models, emphasizing the need to make these models more profitable in order to achieve sustainable growth.
The second day of the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen focused on sustainability, circular business models, and overproduction, with critiques of the fashion industry's current practices, including Shein's business model. Speakers emphasized the need for transformative change in the industry, highlighting circularity, creativity, and new regulations, while acknowledging challenges like reduced margins and increased complexity. The French government’s anti-Shein law, aimed at fast fashion regulation, and the call for companies to adapt to new market trends, were key topics discussed.linkedin February 2026 Why the fashion industry needs to innovate!
I had the pleasure of speaking at the 24h Circular Fashion Journey in Amsterdam, organized by GS1 Netherlands and WAIR Retail Geeks. Pressure on the industry is mounting from all sides: macro uncertainty, squeezed margins, rising ESG expectations, and rapid technological change. Yet meaningful innovation remains limited. Most business models are still being stretched, not rethought. In Amsterdam, we explored the structural forces reshaping fashion today and made a deep dive on four challenges in particular: · The end of deflationary sourcing and logistics marking a structural cost reset that permanently changes the margin equation · Accelerating ESG regulation pushing circularity from strategic option to license to operate · A lack of true, system-wide innovation with too much focus on front-end and, apart from a few exceptions, not enough reinvention of the back-end · Rapid industry polarization and fragmentation where scale winners pull ahead while the rest struggle to stay relevant We further identified six concrete action points for brands to stay competitive in this challenging environment: 1. Reach critical mass or commit to a niche 2. Take back-channel control 3. Protect margins with cost discipline 4. Integrate technology end-to-end 5. Transform for sustainability from claims to proof 6. Embrace flexibility as a core capability With GS1’s work on product identification and Digital Product Passports accelerating, the link between regulation, transparency, and competitiveness is becoming impossible to ignore. A big thank you to Bram Broeks, Mitch van Deursen and ★ Steven Witteveen for the invitation, and for bringing together so many inspiring individuals and brands like Steve Madden and PVH Corp. And, thanks to everyone who contributed to such open, forward-looking discussions.
press October 2025 Uniqlo Lands in Frankfurt: The Global Hype About Uniqlo
Frankfurter Rundschau by Kathrin RosendorffAchim dissects Uniqlo’s success, positioning it as a considered alternative to the fast fashion paradigm.
As Uniqlo opens its 11th store in Germany, the article explores the brand’s positioning and growth drivers while critically examining its claims of democratization, quality, and sustainability. Achim notes that Uniqlo’s rise reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences toward longevity and quality, with its innovative, functional fabrics serving as a defining USP. Unlike its competitors, Uniqlo isn’t driven by rapid trend cycles or ultra-fast production; its focus on functionality, craftsmanship, and accessible yet moderate pricing sets it apart. Although he doubts that Uniqlo will overtake Inditex, Achim believes that Uniqlo is poised to challenge H&M amid its current slowdown.
Source: Frankfurter Rundschau
