Inside the Fashion Power Shift: How Fashion Forward Week Is Reinventing the Trade Fair for the AI Era
As someone who has spent decades covering the menswear market and teaching the next generation of designers at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I find the new hybrid menswear trade fairs incredibly intriguing. They are no longer just about racks of clothing and wholesale orders—they are immersive ecosystems where craftsmanship meets data, storytelling meets AI, and heritage brands stand shoulder to shoulder with digital-native disruptors. What excites me most is how these platforms are integrating technology—predictive analytics, virtual showrooms, and supply-chain transparency—without losing the emotional power of tailoring and design. The modern menswear trade fair is becoming both a marketplace and a think tank, reflecting a broader shift in how men shop, how brands scale, and how the industry prepares students and professionals alike for a smarter, more connected future.” — Joseph DeAcetis, Editor, StyleLujo.com & Menswear Professor, Fashion Institute of Technology
