Fashion Pathways: Exploring Creative Careers

Discover diverse career routes and new opportunities in fashion through this open discussion with a selection of figures that have taken non-traditional pathways in their career.

Dive into the expanding pool of fashion careers in this thought-provoking panel, featuring voices who’ve forged a unique path into the industry beyond conventional routes. This discussion reveals that there is no one way to succeed in the fashion industry. Learn how these panelists have navigated challenges, unexpected opportunities, and discovered their distinctive niches. This session will explore the limitless possibilities of a creative career in fashion.

27 January / 11:00 – 11:45 CEST / Polestar, Kristen Bernikows Gade 3, 1105 Copenhagen K

Moderator:

Olya Kuryshchuk, Founder & Editor-In-Chief, 1 Granary

Olya Kuryshchuk is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of 1 Granary, a leading global fashion education platform and creative network. With a focus on fashion design, 1 Granary uses its print, digital content, events, recruitment and brand development program to drive positive change in the fashion industry and provide practical resources for the next generation of creative minds. Through the unique designer network built through 1 Granary, Olya is one of the industry’s leading experts in talent acquisition and development, scouting design talent and building holistic brand strategy, ranging from design and production to communication and marketing.

Panelists:

Akanksha Deo Sharma, Designer & Artist

Akanksha Deo Sharma is an Indian artist and multidisciplinary designer at IKEA, celebrated for her innovative approach to integrating craft and sustainability in design. Recognized in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30, Sharma combines her fashion design foundation with a deep commitment to working with craft communities, exploring the relationship between materials, heritage, and societal evolution. Her projects often incorporate new and waste materials, as seen in her FÖRÄNDRING initiative, which transforms rice straw into new renewable material. Featured in Wallpaper, Vogue, and Dezeen, she is also a TEDx speaker, One Young World ambassador, and mentor, advocating for design as a tool for social change. Dividing her time between Copenhagen, Malmö, and Delhi, Sharma continues to explore how design can address the changing needs of society.

Beth Esponnette, CPO, Co-Founder, and Chair of the board, unspun™

Naïma’s story is an interesting journey of cultural richness, career success, and a transition toward more sustainable and responsible practices in fashion. Her early years, split between Africa and Paris, shaped her unique perspective and connection to diverse cultures, influencing her aesthetic and approach to design. Moving to London at 18, she entered the world of fashion during the peak of the "It bag" era, a period where accessories were more than just functional—they became key status symbols. Her most notable achievement was leading the team responsible for the creation of the iconic Pippa bag. This design, which became famous after being worn by Pippa Middleton and members of the British Royal Family. Her experience also extends to overseeing global accessories & footwear collections for major contemporary brands, such as Calvin Klein Jeans, solidifying her keen interest in the fashion accessories space.Today, living and working in Copenhagen, Naïma has redefined her professional journey by working with the Danish cult brand Stine Goya as Product Director. Her focus now is on Growing footwear & Accessories development at Samsøe Samsøe, bringing her wealth of experience to create product strategies that prioritize environmental impact, ethical production, and innovation. Naïma's journey represents not only personal growth but also a shift in the fashion industry towards more conscious and responsible practices, aligning with current trends toward sustainability and inclusivity.

Faith Robinson, Head of Content, Global Fashion Agenda

After working internationally in the creative industries for a decade, Faith has developed a reputation for carefully mediating different approaches to sustainability in the context of the global fashion sector. Faith got started in research with London-based trends intelligence business Stylus before moving to Copenhagen in 2018 to work with Global Fashion Agenda. Alongside a fascinating breadth of cultural consultancy, she has a research interest in degrowth theory. Separately, Faith has worked on special projects as a business, non-profit, education and governmental advisor. Following an Art History BA, she is a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and a member within a number of sustainable fashion industry research networks, editorial boards and mentorship programmes. In 2024, Faith was listed as Sustainability Thought Leader in The Vogue Business 100 Innovators.

Naïma Chamberlayne, Head of Footwear & Accessories, Samsøe Samsøe

Naïma’s story is an interesting journey of cultural richness, career success, and a transition toward more sustainable and responsible practices in fashion. Her early years, split between Africa and Paris, shaped her unique perspective and connection to diverse cultures, influencing her aesthetic and approach to design. Moving to London at 18, she entered the world of fashion during the peak of the "It bag" era, a period where accessories were more than just functional—they became key status symbols. Her most notable achievement was leading the team responsible for the creation of the iconic Pippa bag. This design, which became famous after being worn by Pippa Middleton and members of the British Royal Family. Her experience also extends to overseeing global accessories & footwear collections for major contemporary brands, such as Calvin Klein Jeans, solidifying her keen interest in the fashion accessories space.Today, living and working in Copenhagen, Naïma has redefined her professional journey by working with the Danish cult brand Stine Goya as Product Director. Her focus now is on Growing footwear & Accessories development at Samsøe Samsøe, bringing her wealth of experience to create product strategies that prioritize environmental impact, ethical production, and innovation. Naïma's journey represents not only personal growth but also a shift in the fashion industry towards more conscious and responsible practices, aligning with current trends toward sustainability and inclusivity.

Tina Lemke, Marketing & Brand Experience Manager, OnceMore®

Tina Lemke has a background in fashion, with experience working at various Swedish brands such as Lindex and Vagabond Shoemakers. She has extensive expertise in digital marketing and marketing, primarily serving as a project manager for digital projects and sales. In early 2023, her career embarked on an exciting new chapter. As the Marketing & Brand Experience Manager at OnceMore® from Södra, Tina plays a pivotal role in transforming the fashion industry by raising awareness about textile-to-textile recycling and the innovative MMCF process and products.