The Future of Clothing: Regenerative by Design
An Online Summit I April 13–17, 2026
It all goes back to design.
Join us for an online summit exploring the possibilities of regenerative design—not as a new buzzword but as an emerging movement. One that’s rooted in systemic change and reimagines not only how we design our clothes, but also our farming methods, supply chain strategies, ways of being and connection to place.
At the Eileen Fisher Foundation, we understand that no single organization can navigate this transformative shift alone. That is why we recorded and curated a collection of conversations with changemakers, including designers, activists, farmers, founders and journalists who are advancing solutions rooted in Indigenous wisdom and cultivating new paths forward. Discover how, collectively, we can design a future of clothing that gives back more than it takes.
Registration for this summit is free—and includes access to a platform where you can view each conversation on the day of release as well as reflect and network with a community of peers.
“When we first started focusing on sustainability, our main goal was fixing what was broken—recycling and reusing materials, extending the life of garments. But over time, we realized that the real change happens when we design with the end in mind. Regenerative design isn’t just about reducing impact; it’s about creating systems that have a positive effect from the very start. We need to think about the whole life cycle of a garment, from the materials we use to the way it’s made, worn, and eventually returned to the earth. It’s a holistic approach that will truly move the industry toward regeneration, not just sustainability.”
Eileen Fisher
Founder, EILEEN FISHER, INC.
Themes
The life of a garment begins with design. But designing for regeneration goes beyond the garment itself—it’s how farmers grow the fibers, brands partner with suppliers, and stakeholders across the industry reframe their relationship with clothing and the living systems behind them. We categorized these ideas into daily themes as a framework for this summit, but they are all intrinsically interconnected.
Regenerative Design
Exploring regenerative design as both a concept and a movement crucially involves systems thinking. It requires reframing garment creation—which is often exclusively commodity focused—as an opportunity to shape positive relationships between people, products and the planet.
What does regenerative design mean? How can designers and brands evolve their design ethos so their garments match their values?
Soil & Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is more than a checklist of farming methods. It’s a holistic approach to nurturing the land in a way that’s in conversation with—rather than seeking to control—the cycles of nature. When we design ways to invest in healthy soil, we also invest in the well-being of farmers and climate solutions.
What does regenerative agriculture look like in action? What role do certifications play in measuring progress? How can brands and designers support farmers in the transition from conventional to regenerative farming?
Ecosystems & Supply Chains
Beyond soil health, regeneration at this level involves looking inward at areas of opportunity to design entire supply chains that support restorative social and ecological ecosystems. The more voices brought to the table—from cross-industry innovators to the people making the garments—the greater the impact.
What does a regenerative supply chain look like? How can pre-competitive collaboration maximize change?
Ways of Being
Challenging how and why we make and wear clothes inspires both the mindset and cultural shift necessary to embrace regenerative design as a movement. When we design values-based ways of being, we have the ability to positively transform not only the fashion industry but also our relationship with our clothes and the natural world.
How can we reframe our relationship with clothes toward a more intentional mindset? What role can different stakeholders play in fostering regenerative spaces for living, working and designing?
Connection to Place
Our clothes can serve as a map of belonging—a reflection of the land around us, our communities and ourselves. By recognizing these connections, clothing is no longer disposable and replaceable, but a meaningful and valuable extension of who we are and the world within which we live.
How can we design ways to reaffirm the relationship between people, planet and garments? What opportunities does connection to place present for revaluing garments as craft?
Speakers
Meet the inspiring individuals who shared their stories of impact with us. Each conversation reveals paths of possibility for both individual and collective action toward a regenerative future of clothing.
Eileen Fisher
Founder, EILEEN FISHER, INC.
Dr. Sass Brown
Writer, Educator & Researcher
Natalie Chanin
Founder, Alabama Chanin
La Rhea Pepper
Visionary Leader in Regenerative Organic Textiles & Global Sustainability
Jim Fitzpatrick
Director, Regenerative Fund for Nature
Carrie Childs
Design Director, Patagonia
Dana Davis
Founder, Dana Davis Consulting
Aditi Mayer
Global Storyteller & Speaker
Korina Emmerich
Artist
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin
Founder, Regenerative Agriculture Alliance
Lucianne Tonti
Sustainable Fashion Journalist & Author of Sundressed
Tameka Peoples
Founder, Seed2Shirt
Dieter van den Broeck
Design Strategist & Facilitator, Commonland
Katrin Ley
Managing Director, Fashion for Good
Felipe Urioste
Director, Land to Market
Vanessa Barboni Hallik
Founder, Another Tomorrow
Esha Chhabra
Journalist & Author of Working to Restore
Ryan Zinn
Director of Regenerative Programs, Dr. Bronner’s
Safia Minney, MBE
Chief Executive, Fashion Declares & Indilisi
Lewis Perkins
President, Apparel Impact Institute
Carmen Gama
Director of Circular Design, EILEEN FISHER, INC.
Friederike von Wedel-Parlow Director, Beneficial Design Institute
Aneel Kumar Ambavaram Founder, Raddis® Cotton
Antoinette Klatzky (Host)
Vice President, Eileen Fisher Foundation
Amy Hall (Host)
Sustainability Strategic Advisor, Eileen Fisher Foundation
Schedule
We invite all registered participants to join us on April 9 and April 17 for live virtual gatherings dedicated to community connection and reflection before and after the summit.
April 13–17, we will release conversations with changemakers corresponding to a daily theme for 24 hours via a dedicated platform. View the full schedule below.
April 9: Live Opening Session (Virtual)
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Eileen Fisher Founder, EILEEN FISHER, INC.
Carmen Gama Director of Circularity, EILEEN FISHER, INC.
Korina Emmerich Artist
Tameka Peoples Founder, Seed2Shirt
Dr. Sass Brown Writer, Educator & Researcher
Friederike von Wedel-Parlow Director, Beneficial Design Institute
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Jim Fitzpatrick Director, Regenerative Fund for Nature
Dieter van den Broeck Design Strategist & Facilitator, Commonland
Felipe Urioste CEO, Land to Market
La Rhea Pepper Visionary Leader in Regenerative Organic Textiles & Global Sustainability
Ryan Zinn Director of Regenerative Programs, Dr. Bronner’s
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Vanessa Barboni Hallik Founder, Another Tomorrow
Dana Davis Founder, Dana Davis Consulting
Katrin Ley Managing Director, Fashion for Good
Lewis Perkins President & CEO, Apparel Impact Institute
Safia Minney, MBE Founder, Fashion Declares
Esha Chhabra Journalist & Author of Working to Restore
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Carrie Childs Design Director, Patagonia
Lucianne Tonti Sustainable Fashion Journalist & Author of Sundressed
Aneel Kumar Ambavaram Founder, Raddis® Cotton
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin Founder, Regenerative Agriculture Alliance
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Natalie Chanin Founder, Alabama Chanin
Aditi Mayer Global Storyteller & Speaker