Paris hosts a crucial forum to boost French fashion export strategies amid global shifts
On November 20, 2025, Paris will host the Welcome on Board - Mode & International event, a pivotal day-long forum dedicated to examining new export strategies tailored for fashion brands. This gathering aims to provide comprehensive insights and tools to over 250 industry leaders , including brand founders, CEOs, senior executives responsible for international growth, e-commerce directors, and global fashion buyers. The event is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to initiate, secure, or accelerate their international expansion efforts amid an ever-evolving global marketplace.
The event is jointly organised by a broad coalition of French industry associations and public bodies such as the Women’s Ready-to-wear Federation, Promas International, the Association of Apparel Producers, the Knitwear and Lingerie Federation, the Fashion and Haute Couture Federation, UFIMH, DEFI, the French Footwear Federation, CCT, and Francéclat, with support from Entreprises France. Their combined expertise underscores the event's strategic focus on fostering cross-sector collaboration to enhance the global reach of French fashion brands.
The programme comprises a rich array of conferences and workshops that delve into critical topics, including the impact of geopolitics and shifting market dynamics on international trade, as well as the evolving demands of international buyers. Noteworthy speakers include executives from renowned global companies such as Kirna Zabête in the USA, Guffanti from Italy, Hankyu Hanshin in Japan, and Attica in Greece. French experts will also contribute, including Michaël Azoulay, founder and CEO of Boda Skins; Caroline Goiffon, managing director of Statement Paris; Claire Bismuth, COO of Izipizi; Lisa Nakam, managing director of Jonak; and Mathieu Grodner, president of DEFI. These sessions collectively offer a blend of market data analysis, real-world case studies, and expert insights designed to inform strategic decisions.
Practical workshops in the afternoon will focus on critical operational and strategic challenges such as customs and logistics, brand protection in the digital landscape, financial management, and identification of new market opportunities. Other key themes include lean growth strategies, sustainable approaches to international direct-to-consumer models, and leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance performance on the global stage. This hands-on approach ensures attendees leave with actionable knowledge that can directly impact their export initiatives.
Welcome on Board reflects a growing trend within the fashion industry to address the multifaceted challenges of international expansion in a landscape marked by geopolitical uncertainty, technological change, and shifting consumer expectations. The event’s emphasis on practical solutions and peer learning resonates with the sector’s need for adaptive strategies that balance growth ambitions with sustainability and digital innovation.
This event follows several high-profile fashion gatherings in Paris this year, highlighting the city’s role as a continuing global hub for the fashion and textile industries. For instance, Shenzhen Futian Fashion Day made a notable return to Paris in late September, showcasing Chinese womenswear brands as part of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode’s ‘Welcome to Paris’ initiative, underlining the international exchange of fashion talent and creativity. Earlier in the year, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris attracted around 1,300 exhibitors across textile sourcing, ready-to-wear, and luxury fashion sectors, reinforcing Paris’s stature in facilitating global supply chain connections and sourcing opportunities.
Together, these events , including Welcome on Board , demonstrate the ongoing commitment within the fashion industry to strengthen international networks, enhance export capabilities, and anticipate future market transformations. They serve as critical platforms where brand leaders and industry experts converge to share knowledge, forge partnerships, and explore innovative pathways to sustainable and scalable global growth.