What's the Future of Fashion?

FashionSIGHTS Unveiled with Achim Berg

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FashionSIGHTS is an independent corporate think tank dedicated to exploring and shaping the future of the fashion industry. Rooted in rigorous research and powered by the expertise of our team and extensive network, we deliver value through THOUGHT LEADERSHIP and Advisory services to our clients, including senior decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Our unique inSIGHTS engine allows us to create hindSIGHT and foreSIGHT – analyzing past trends, addressing current challenges, and anticipating future opportunities. Based on our distinctive understanding, we actively support and make INVESTMENTS in start-ups and scale-ups at the intersection of fashion and technology, driving innovation and transformative growth.

At FashionSIGHTS, we use our convening power to foster a COMMUNITY of forward-thinkers by connecting our clients and partners with current and future decision-makers of the industry. We collaborate in a culture defined by trust, integrity, high performance, teamwork, and kindness. Together, we are reimagining the future of fashion.

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press June 2025

A50 – The list of the 50 most important Germans in fashion

Achtung & FAZ magazine by Alfons Kaiser, Jennifer Wiebking, Markus Ebner, Alex Rottenmanner, Nicole Urbschat, Silke Wichert

Achim ranks No.10 on Achtung magazine’s annual “A50” list acknowledging his lasting industry influence and founding of FashionSIGHTS.

For the first time, FashionSIGHTS founder and managing director Dr. Achim Berg has landed on Achtung magazine’s annual “A50” list - a ranking that spotlights influential German individuals shaping the global fashion landscape. He debuts at No.10, just behind Mytheresa CEO Michael Kliger and Chloé creative director Chemena Kamali.

The magazine highlights Achim’s lasting influence on the industry, citing his role in establishing McKinsey’s global Fashion & Luxury practice and his standing as one of the most quoted business voices in the field. His founding of FashionSIGHTS is recognized as a timely and strategic move, that unites data-based hindsight and foresight with deep industry expertise at a time of fundamental industry transformation.

linkedin June 2025

Interview #32 - Hermann Haraldsson; Co-Founder & CEO, Boozt ...

What is the real potential of hashtag#fashion e-commerce? That’s the question I explored in a recent conversation with Hermann Haraldsson, Co-founder and CEO of Boozt - the leading multi-brand fashion pure player in the Nordics. Since 2009, Hermann and his team have built a hashtag#powerhouse by focusing on a region most global players overlooked. Today, Boozt not only dominates the Nordic market but also ranks among the most profitable fashion e-commerce platforms in Europe. We spoke about: How fashion e-commerce has matured over the past 15 years Why scale and hashtag#operational hashtag#efficiency are critical for long-term success Why Boozt believes the wholesale model is the right one for their business And why a 50–60% online share is the realistic sweet spot for the Nordic market, given its unique dynamics
linkedin June 2025

Interview #29 - Stefania Lazzaroni, CEO Altagamma

What ist the Future of Luxury? This was the focus of my recent conversation with Stefania Lazzaroni, CEO of Altagamma, the Italian Luxury Goods Association. Since 2013, Stefania has spearheaded initiatives that promote Italian excellence globally, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. She combines strategic insight with a passion for Italian craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Stefania and I first met some 10 years ago. In our conversation, we explored the differences between Italian and French hashtag#luxury companies, reflected on how the industry has evolved since the financial crisis, and discussed why the future of luxury lies in experiences, well-being, and emotional value. This insightful exchange is part of my interview series for my upcoming book on The Future of Fashion.
linkedin

Interview #28 - Thomas Tochtermann, Chairman GFA

Why is sustainability taking a “peaceful pause” in fashion? This was the core theme of my recent conversation with Thomas Tochtermann, Chairman of the Global Fashion Agenda. Thomas is a passionate and influential voice for a more sustainable future in fashion. After a distinguished career at McKinsey & Company, he now serves as a board professional for various fashion and consumer companies. I’ve had the privilege of calling him a mentor during my McKinsey years, where he co-founded and championed the Apparel, Fashion & Luxury (AF&L) practice - and he’s remained a trusted friend ever since. In our discussion, we unpacked why sustainability in fashion appears to be facing more headwinds today than just three years ago. Why aren’t consumers willing to pay for sustainable choices? And why, despite all this, does Thomas remain hashtag#optimistic about the industry’s path to true sustainability? This thoughtful conversation is part of my ongoing interview series for my upcoming book on The Future of Fashion.
event May 2025

The Future of Retail Summit, Milan

Achim Berg joins the opening panel at the first edition of "The Future of Retail" Summit, hosted by FASHION Magazine in Milan on May 5th. The summit gathers leading voices from across the fashion industry from Italy and beyond to explore the evolving dynamics and future of fashion retail. In the discussion, Achim addresses the complex challenges and emerging opportunities that are currently reshaping the industry landscape.

linkedin

The 2025 Forbes Billionaires List is out - and it’s clear: F...

The combined net worth of fashion and luxury billionaires in the Forbes Top 200 fell to $522bn, down 16% from $617bn in 2024. That decline is mirrored in the number of fashion/luxury figures in the Top 200: just 10 in 2025, compared to 14 last year. Notable drop-offs include: • Giorgio Armani now ranked #208 with $11.8bn • Sky Xu (Shein Shein) now #323, net worth down by $2bn • Michael Rubin (Fanatics slipped to #248 • Nicolas Puech (Hermès heir, 5% stake): dropped entirely Last year, Bernard Arnault (LVMH) briefly claimed the top spot as the world’s richest. But tech is back on top: Elon Musk has reclaimed #1 with a net worth of $342bn (as of March), while Arnault fell to #5, with his fortune down to $178bn (from $233bn). ...
press April 2025

Prada brings Versace home to create Italian luxury contender

Reuters by Elisa Anzolin

Achim comments on Prada’s acquisition of Versace and its significance for Europe’s luxury landscape.

Prada’s deal to buy Versace signals a strategic push to build a true Italian powerhouse in global fashion. Achim considers this a pivotal step toward rebalancing Europe’s luxury landscape, long dominated by French conglomerates. Despite Italy’s strong “Made in Italy” image of trust and quality, the country has lacked a player of comparable scale. This move brings Versace, previously owned by US-listed Capri Holdings, back under Italian control, marking a shift from fragmented past efforts to a more consolidated national vision. Achim notes that unlike earlier small-scale ventures that failed to gain traction, this deal carries real strategic weight and long-term ambition.

press March 2025

D-Congress 2025: How AI Is Powering Fashion, Culture And E-C...

Forbes by Cassell Ferere

Achim is featured as a top voice with his keynote speech on fashion's paradigm shifts and the evolving e-commerce landscape.

Held in Sweden, home to innovative e-commerce companies, D-Congress brought together prominent industry thought leaders to explore the transformative power of AI in global fashion, culture and retail. In his keynote, Achim discussed fashion’s e-commerce transformation, highlighting how the landscape is consolidating and evolving around three core value-driven archetypes. He also identified ten key paradigm shifts that are revolutionizing the fashion industry, from AI streamlining back-end operations to ESG initiatives becoming non-negotiable for brands.

press March 2025

Paradigm shifts: Dr. Achim Berg on D-Congress Talks

Achim's keynote on fashion's paradigm shifts, presented live at D-Congress, is now available as a podcast episode.

After a decade of massive growth, peaking during Covid, e-commerce now faces a reality check. Achim dives into the drivers behind the past decade's e-commerce boom and gloom and explains why the focus has now shifted from aggressive growth to profitability. This shift is leading to a market restructuring and consolidation, with a future focus on three key archetypes that define the landscape.

press March 2025

What luxury can learn from the watch resale playbook

Vogue Business by Milena Lazazzera

Achim shares his opinion on the opportunities and challenges of resale in fashion and luxury.

Resale has become a major force in luxury, with watches leading the way due to limited supply, durability, and high value retention. Their scarcity fuels demand and strengthens strong resale prices. Fashion faces greater challenges in resale, as items like cashmere and shoes degrade over time, and the industry often overproduces rather than limiting supply, reducing long-term value. As Achim notes, this makes resale more complex, requiring a careful approach. Many brands still underestimate consumer demand or struggle to integrate resale into their business. A key lesson from watches is the importance of authentication and collaboration with trusted resale platforms to protect brand equity and unlock new opportunities in the secondary market.

linkedin February 2025

The Two-Horse Race: How Fashion’s Richest Are Shaping the In...

The FashionSIGHTS team is thrilled to share our first #inSIGHTS #report, titled "Behind the Fortunes – How Fashion and Luxury are Creating Billionaires Galore."
event March 2025

Svensk Handel's D-Congress

Achim Berg presents a keynote at Svensk Handel's D-Congress in Gothenburg, Sweden. The congress is a leading retail event in Northern Europe, bringing together over 3,000 innovators and decision-makers to shape the industry's future.