In a similar vein industries like Fashion, Lifestyle, Health and Automobile are not immune towards this scrutiny from public and consumers alike. This criticism stems from its economic significance to the world economy and its global impact on both environmental and social issues (Hofmann et al.,2022) . In other words, theories of standardization and mass production have led to concepts like fast fashion and created global challenges such as escalation of pollution, water consumption, carbon emissions, and some social issues including human rights, and gender equality (Geneva Environment Network, 2024; Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017; UNEP, 2019; Quantis, 2018; World Bank, 2020, Fletcher, 2013) to name a few. The dominant culture of commerce and industry today favours widespread consumption of easily replaceable items, which has significant negative implications for environmental and social sustainability (Gabriel, 2024). The current dynamic of industry has lured the academic scholars to debate and think of new business models and practices that will significantly alter its negative impacts. Nevertheless, despite widespread attention of scholarly work on this domain from sustainability perspective, we see a gap in current research on this domain that can enrich the discipline.

First reason is that sustainability calls for global collaboration, coordination and cooperation. This calls for further investigation on the nature of interaction that culminates into relationships amongst business actors (Gabriell, 2024). For example, due to stringent new environmental regulations going forward fashion firms should prioritize and integrate strong relationships with suppliers and resellers into their brand strategies, which can promote potential collaborations with alternative customer segments. This could be high end and bespoke manufacturers with specialised skills (i. e., bespoke first-class airline seating or cars) (Holmqvist & Kowalkowsk, 2023). Technology could help bridge the gap between suppliers of garments and fashion brands and ensure a seamless implementation of policy with forthcoming regulations such as Digital Product Passport (European Parliament, 2024).

Second reason is the impact of the recent events and health crisis led new innovative approaches and alternative business models adopted by the industry on the wider global economy and consumer psyche. These developments supported the transition of the industry towards sustainable transformation of their supply chain, product and processes design, retail, consumption, and end of-life ( Brydges et al., 2020). The changes in approach also prompted a re-examination of corporate social responsibility, highlighting the importance of care, empathy, and psychological well-being (Qin & Men, 2023). This unprecedented crisis necessitated rapid firm adaptation and consequently, the innovative responses to the pandemic offer a valuable opportunity for decision-makers, including firms in the industry, their suppliers, institutions, and other stakeholders, to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fortify resilience against future disruptions whilst enhancing responsible fashion practices.

Third reason is the impact of technology and new innovative approaches. It is well documented that technology can impact supply chain circularity (Huynh, 2021). It has been well documented that circular business innovation (McArthur, 2013; Brennan et al., 2015 ) and digital innovation (Hoffmann, 2019) are two drivers towards the success of the circular economy with an aim to reduce resource input and waste emission. The focus of new business model of circularity has shifted the linear structure of “take-make-dispose” to the circular model of “make-use-return”( Hellström and Olsson, 2024; Patwa and Seetharaman, 2019; Salmi and Kaipia, 2022). Digital innovations are believed to be prime triggers for making the circularity shift to happen (Ranta et al., 2021). Thus we can refer to the use of technology in an advantageous way to promote the circular model. To name a few we can refer to incorporating technologies such as IoT (i.e., connectivity in supply chain), (De Sousa Jabbour et al., 2018), Blockchain for traceability ( Rajput and Singh, 2019), 3D printing which can shorten the lead time integrating designers, producers and users (Beltagui et al., 2020), or online platforms that can enable interaction between two users through these interactive platforms.

Fourth, an industry like Fashion can be studied through its textile, costumes and artisanship as expressions of folklore through designs linked to specific cultures (The Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organization, ARIPO; Jung et al. 2020). Indeed, cultural factors and cultural nuances could foster stronger societal partnership required to improve brand image from sustainability perspective (Ko et al., 2015). In this context, da Silva (2021) suggests that to address contemporary challenges, a balance between traditional and innovative designs focusing on sustainability can be offered by designers who can create unique high-end products while promoting ethical practices. Moreover, industries like fast fashion need to curb themselves from irresponsible practices necessitating a shift towards Circular Fashion that prioritizes design for

sustainability, cyclical production, and the integration of social and cultural factors (Melo and Broega, 2018). Therefore, it is important to preserve traditional knowledge and culture and allow consumers to delve and encapsulate themselves into their history, roots, culture and customs, for example, sustainability expressed through history of the city of Ksar Helal people in Tunisia, how they shape sustainability in textile and fashion (Ben Hamouda et al., 2024 ). While culture’s role in shaping sustainable practices is acknowledged by the fashion industry(Khan Varaksina and Hinterhuber, 2024), there is a lack of understanding of the factors influencing this intertwin between culture and responsible fashion. For instance, little is known about how colonialism distorted and misrepresented traditions, creating a conflict between indigenous knowledge systems and Western intellectual property frameworks (Oyange Ngando, 2018 ).

To continue this debate, scholars working on related topics are encouraged to submit their conceptual and empirical research papers for presentation at the conference using the abstract submission link.

The feedback received by participants at the conference will enable them to refine their research and help PhD students to discuss their work with experts in the field. A special session with Editors of top journals will also allow participants to understand requirements of the journals. The conference will be hosted by Bournemouth University with University of the Arts in London, UK and Goa Institute of Management, and will be held online via Zoom. Breakout sessions will offer opportunities of Networking and Exchange of notes in the form of discussions with participants from diverse regions of the world.

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