Closing the Loop: Sustainability in Fashion and Textiles

Closing the Loop: Sustainability in Fashion and Textiles is a one-day interdisciplinary workshop bringing together researchers, designers, technology specialists, students, and industry practitioners at the University of St.Gallen (SQUARE) on 27 October 2026. The programme connects three perspectives that are too often discussed separately: circular fashion design, life cycle assessment, and digital information systems. Participants will examine whether circularity is always more sustainable, explore modular and zero-waste garments through a live fashion exhibit, discuss organisational change and circular economy information systems, and gain practical insight into Digital Product Passports — from regulation and standards to real-world implementation. Talks, tangible prototypes, industry cases, and an audience panel create a space for critical discussion and practical exchange across the textile value chain. The event is organised by Circular Lab, an interdisciplinary research and practice network advancing the circular economy in the Lake Constance region. Bringing together universities, companies, and other regional partners from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Circular Lab develops practical approaches to circular products, business models, cross-company ecosystems, and enabling technologies. Its work focuses particularly on the textiles and agriculture-food sectors, combining ecological ambition with economic viability to translate circular-economy research into actionable strategies and implementation.