From 10 to 13 November 2025, the DigiFashTech consortium convened in Athens for a week of collaboration, creativity, and forward-looking dialogue on the future of digital innovation and sustainability in the fashion and textile sectors. Hosted by SOFFA and PANSiK Fashion School, the gathering combined the project’s consortium meeting with the three-day Seam the Change: Athens Fashion #digifashtech.
On 10 November 2025, partners met to review progress and plan next steps across key project areas. Discussions focused on: The Athens Fashion Hackathon; Course module alignment & the Online Educator Handbook; Finalisation of the research report and curriculum; Development of the Citizens’ Digital Science Hub & e-learning platform; Upcoming piloting, pairing, and mentoring activities.
The meeting reaffirmed the consortium’s shared commitment to shaping the future of fashion education through digital empowerment, creativity, and inclusion.
As part of the Athens visit, partners also toured PANSiK Fashion School, a leading institution in Greece known for its pioneering programmes in Fashion Styling, Fashion Marketing, and high-fashion craftsmanship. Founded in 1977, PANSiK continues to bridge education and industry by training students across the full spectrum of fashion professions—from design to communication.
Fashion Hackathon — Day 1: Circularity in Context
The DigiFashTech Fashion Hackathon opened with a full day dedicated to the theme “Circularity in Context: Policy & Practice.” Led by Nicholas Yatromanolakis and the Policy Lab team, participants explored how inclusive policymaking can drive circular and sustainable transformation in fashion.
Through structured sessions, teams worked on:
- Identifying real-world circularity challenges
- Mapping policy gaps
- Setting actionable sustainability goals
- Prototyping policy ideas
- Analysing stakeholders and shaping execution plans
Day 1 concluded with teams presenting their insights and proposals on the FABRIX platform, enriched by expert feedback from EU specialists.
Fashion Hackathon — Day 2: Co-Creation, Mentorship & Digital Tools
Day 2 marked a shift from policy exploration to active co-creation. Participants from eight European cities gathered at Impact Hub Athens to shape their project concepts.
Highlights included: a policy recap and a FABRIX self-assessment session led by IHA and AUEB; The Ideas Agora, where teams formed around shared challenges; Mentor sessions featuring experts from Fashion Revolution, AMFI, Bursa University, SOFFA, MFA North Macedonia, UNIWA, CERTH, and others.
Startup showcases and digital tool integrations supported teams in refining their solutions, aligning with DigiFashTech’s mission of merging technology, creativity, and circularity.
Fashion Hackathon — Day 3: Panels, Pitches & Award Ceremony
The final day opened with a Hacking Block supported by mentors, followed by two thought-provoking panels: the panel “Trends in Textiles & Eco-Design” featured insights on sustainable materials, circular design, and emerging textile innovations. Speakers included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ömeroğulları Başyığit (Bursa Uludağ University), Catherine Dauriac (Fashion Revolution France), Ludovica d’Andria (FR Italy), and designer Aleksandra Filipova (BlackBello, North Macedonia). The session was moderated by Dr. Fiori A. Zafeiropoulou (AUEB).
During the panel “New Business Models & Digitalisation of Fashion,” experts explored the future of fashion entrepreneurship, digital tools, and shifting consumer behaviour. Speakers included Dr. Livia Stroschoen Pinent (AMFI), Eftychia Panagopoulou (Pansik Fashion School), Virginia Pignotti (FR Italy), and Julio Uriostegui (PickMyOutfit).
Teams presented innovative solutions ranging from circular design concepts and textile upcycling to digital fashion tools and community-based platforms during the pitching session. Projects included PickMyOutfit, NOEMA, Leya Brand, Thribes, Miss Polyplexi, BlackBello, Ethos Please, 3Quarters, Ghost Gear (WWF India), and more.
A distinguished jury of academics, designers, and industry leaders—representing NTUA, AUEB, UNIWA, HFDA, the World Human Forum, and Maison Faliakos—reviewed all presentations. After careful deliberation, the Fashion Revolution Greece Award was presented to NOEMA — Barbara Panopoulou and Tsiakiris-Silk House.
Congratulations to the winners and to all participants for their creativity, passion, and commitment to reshaping the future of fashion!
The DigiFashTech week in Athens demonstrated the power of bringing together educators, designers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to co-create the future of fashion. Through hands-on learning, policy exploration, digital innovation, and community-building, the event highlighted the value of cross-European collaboration.
Stay connected with us for more updates, stories, and upcoming events from the DigiFashTech project.
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