Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) are the heartbeat of our economy. It’s based on individual’s creativity, impact and talent – and they generate huge economic wealth and conserve European culture, identity and values.

But when it comes to fashion – some people are hesitant, some would probably shake their heads in disagreement to fashion being one of the major players in the creative industries. That’s because it is often overlooked by creative hubs and mistaken for just being all hype and purely just a bandwagon.

Fashion is a form of art that allows people of all genders, backgrounds and walks of life to feel confident and allows them to look their best. It visualizes things in the best possible light and enables artisans to embed their creativity in every design they create. Orange Fiber is a living testimony of that – a startup company that participated in CBC’s Global Finals in 2013 and works in sustainable fabrics and textiles using citrus waste. (You can read more here.)

The fashion industry is a significant part of the creative economy and have the potential to contribute to the growth of manufacturing in Europe. Fashion and Creative Industries such as the textiles and clothing, leather sectors, and footwear sectors wield at the crossroads between arts, business, and technology. They are in a tactical position to link creativity to innovation at a time when culture-based creativity is a vital facet of business innovation in the new economy. Their potential to contribute to the re-industrialisation of Europe is often overlooked.

According to the European Commission, these industries face a number of challenges that they are working to address. They consist of the increasing number of counterfeit goods, the protection of intellectual property rights, and the difficulties small businesses face when looking for finance.

Textiles and clothing is a diverse sector that plays a huge role in the European manufacturing industry. The Commission legislates on fiber names and labeling to cater consumers’ protection. In addition, the EU is a major player in the global leather market. Its leather industry is made up of different varieties of products and industrial processes. The Commission works to advertise the innovation and competitiveness of firms in the fashion sector while protecting consumer health and the environment.

And oh, if you happen to be a Danish startup – you may be interested in joining our Danish startup delegation for Creative Business Summit Fashion and Design and be one of the lucky startups who will fly with us in Shanghai, China! Click here to know more!