At Fashinnovation, we believe that the most transformative conversations in fashion happen when style intersects with strategy, policy, and real-world complexity.
Our June edition of Fashinnovation Talks brought together industry leaders and insiders for an off-the-record conversation about the forces shaping fashion: global trade, tariffs, compliance, and the invisible costs behind your favorite collections.
Meet the Panel
Moderator:
- Carlos Belmonte: Fractional COO (SanderLak / Heron Preston), former SVP Creative Product Hub at Calvin Klein
Speakers:
These voices brought sharp insights, personal case studies, and on-the-ground knowledge of the fashion supply chain’s pressure points.
- Bjorn Bengtsson: Chief Product & Supply Chain Officer, UNTUCKit
- Nunzio De Filippis: Co-CEO, CargoTrans | Licensed Customs Broker | Board Member, NY Alliance & Verde Fulfillment
Inside the Conversation
Tariffs Are Quietly Redefining Fashion’s Margins
We kicked off with an urgent question:
What’s really changing behind the scenes when it comes to trade regulations?
Nunzio broke down the latest updates in U.S. tariff policy, calling attention to an industry-wide anxiety over timelines, renewals (like GSP), and unexpected audits. He noted that even small changes in tariff rates can shift a brand’s entire sourcing strategy.
“It’s not just about avoiding costs -it’s about surviving uncertainty.” – Nunzio
Supply Chain Isn’t Just Ops Anymore – It’s Brand Identity
Bjorn emphasized that supply chain decisions today define product storytelling tomorrow. With rising ESG expectations, he outlined how logistics leaders are now sitting at the table with design, marketing, and C-suite execs.
“The way we ship is part of the way we sell.” – Bjorn
From DDP challenges to reshoring trends (Mexico, Eastern Europe), the group explored how smart diversification is replacing centralization.
Compliance is the New Currency
Carlos guided the discussion toward one of the most overlooked aspects:
How do brands keep control when the rules keep changing?
Whether it’s “Rules of Origin” confusion or carbon border taxes on the horizon, the panel agreed: brands need better visibility, better tech and better partners.
Bjorn added that even large companies are struggling with customs documentation, greenwashing audits, and fast-moving trade enforcement.
Nunzio warned of a growing trend:
“We’re seeing more flagged shipments, more audits, more fines. Even for brands who think they’re compliant.”
From Risk to Strategy
Other standout points from the panel included:
Who really pays for trade mistakes?
Consumers often absorb the price hikes, but brands bear the reputational risk.
Is tech helping?
Blockchain, AI, and product passports offer hope – but only if they’re built on real, structured data.
Sustainability vs. profitability
It’s not a dichotomy. It’s a balance—and the winners will be the ones who operationalize transparency, not just promote it.
Policy with Purpose
The future of global trade in fashion may depend on unified rules, ethical enforcement, and education across teams.
Why This Matters
Fashion doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Every design, every collection, and every trend travels through a complex web of tariffs, freight bottlenecks, policy shifts and human decisions before it hits the showroom floor.
- These aren’t just “logistics problems.”
- They’re business model questions.
- And they’re happening now.
What is Fashinnovation Talks?
Fashinnovation Talks is an exclusive event series bringing together leaders from fashion, technology, and retail to discuss innovation, consumer trends, and the future of commerce and Fashion.
Read more:
https://fashinnovation.nyc/curated-conversations-the-future-of-fashion/
Get Involved
Want to speak, sponsor, or attend? Reach out via:
https://fashinnovation.nyc/contact-us/
Read more recaps and thought leadership:
http://fashinnovation.nyc/blog
