Using sustainability as a strategic lever to strengthen the resilience of organizations and supply chains in a context marked by increasingly interconnected climatic, social, technological, and geopolitical challenges.

On 20 May 2026, the School of Management at the Politecnico di Milano hosted Sustainable Management in the Fashion and Luxury Industries, a day of discussions about the changes happening in fashion and luxury supply chains. The event brought together academics, managers, and international sustainability experts.

The event confirmed the strategic role of collaboration between supply chain stakeholders, academia and industry in overcoming the challenges of sustainable transition, such as decarbonization, traceability and innovative supply chain models.

The initiative also provided an opportunity to launch the Research Center dedicated to Professor Alessandro Brun. The Center aims to contribute to the rethinking of fashion and luxury supply chains as sustainable, inclusive, people-centred systems. The contribution of the younger generation was highlighted through a hackathon in which Master’s degree students in Management Engineering drafted a manifesto on the future of luxury.

One of the most significant moments was the keynote address by Peter Wells of Cardiff Business School, which explored how the concept of resilience in supply chains has evolved beyond mere efficiency to encompass adaptability and transparency. In line with this perspective, Phelisha A. Midy of Harvard University emphasised the central role of inclusion and collective action in building more resilient systems.

During the academic sessions, experts and researchers addressed topics such as decarbonizing supply chains, including SMEs, organizational well-being, transparency, and regulatory developments. They highlighted the growing integration of environmental, social, and operational dimensions.

There was ample opportunity to share corporate experiences. Contributions from organizations such as the Prada Group, the Armani Group, Kering, Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, Vitale Barberis Canonico, IMATEX, Botto Giuseppe and Confindustria Moda emphasised the importance of collaboration throughout the supply chain in overcoming challenges related to traceability, digital product passports and regenerative practices. This confirms the increasing incorporation of sustainability into the sector’s long-term strategies.

The day also emphasized the cultural and social aspects of sustainable transformation, showcasing how fashion and luxury can create value beyond the economic realm through design, community engagement and nurturing emerging talent.

The event concluded with a discussion on the Sustainable Management in Fashion & Luxury Industries Centre’s future research priorities, reaffirming the need for a systemic approach that integrates innovation, environmental sustainability, people’s well-being, and collaboration among stakeholders across the supply chain.

Against this backdrop, the POLIMI School of Management at the Politecnico di Milano reaffirmed its position as a leading hub for fostering dialogue and collaboration between academia and industry in support of the fashion and luxury sector’s sustainable transition.