For an industry long measured in Europe by the revenues of luxury conglomerates and the market capitalizations of Parisian fashion houses, the most dynamic growth is now taking shape in new markets – across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, where the middle class is expanding, manufacturing capacity is growing, and distinctive consumer preferences are taking shape. These are precisely the markets brought together by the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, which will take place in Moscow from September 28 to 30, 2026.
For European businesses, the Summit is above all an opportunity to understand where demand is shifting. Last season brought together more than 15,000 participants, 265 speakers and delegates from dozens of countries; over the years, representatives from 109 countries have taken part in the Summit. Yet the profile of its participants is more telling than the numbers: designers, manufacturers, investors, industry associations, regulators and other influential experts all take part in the discussions. It is a rare format where decisions on sourcing and market entry can be discussed across the entire value chain.
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The 2026 BRICS+ Fashion Summit will feature more than 40 sessions covering the transformation of supply chains, the adoption of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and retail, certification and standards, sustainable development and the circular economy. All of these issues are considered in the context of fast-growing economies – where many of the industry’s key growth opportunities are taking shape.
“Participation in the BRICS+ Fashion Summit offers Türkiye a valuable platform to strengthen economic ties with BRICS+ countries, explore new export channels, and foster long-term partnerships,” says Cem Altan, Executive Committee Board Member of International Apparel Federation (Türkiye), a regular participant in the Summit. For Türkiye – a country whose textile exports exceed $27 billion – the Summit provides access to new export channels, while also supporting the development of local fashion and promoting Turkish designers in new markets.
“For countries with emerging economies, collaborating in the fashion sector and expanding their influence is not a luxury, but a strategic necessity. Fashion generates economic development, projects cultural identity, and opens the door to internationalization,” says Sergio Puig, Director of Mediterranea Fashion Week Valencia (Spain), who will once again attend the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow this September.
A Window into Growing Demand
For European companies, the value of such a platform ultimately comes down to access. The Summit provides a direct route into markets that European businesses would typically find difficult to reach without a long chain of intermediaries – while taking place in a city that is itself a major consumer market. Moscow’s fashion market has grown by 50% over the past five years, while its digital retail market is among the most developed in the region.
Sergio Puig describes the impact in terms familiar to anyone involved in international market expansion: “It helps brands project their identity, access new markets, and establish strategic alliances. It also provides knowledge in sustainability and digitalization, and transforms visibility into real business opportunities”.
The Strength of Local Markets
There is also a strategic dimension to this shift that European investors should consider over a multi-year horizon. Global corporations continue to dominate in terms of scale and distribution, but the consumer’s center of gravity is shifting. “Local labels are gaining ground: while global conglomerates still command the biggest revenues, consumers now prize authenticity and community, giving nimble, culturally rooted brands outsized influence on trends and storytelling,” notes Nichole M. Bess, Founder of Noir Fashion Week (USA), who is also among the speakers this season.
It is precisely this diversification – from a globalized fashion industry to a multitude of strong local markets – that makes the BRICS+ Fashion Summit relevant to those allocating capital. Fast-growing economies are becoming independent consumer and investment destinations, and the Summit in Moscow provides a gateway to these markets.
by Charlotte Smith
