This panel brings together three perspectives across the fashion ecosystem: artisan-centred design and regenerative making (Vũ Thảo, Kilomet109), media and narrative power (Lien Chi, ELLE Vietnam), large-scale supply chains and talent development (Haluk Demirtel, Li & Fung).
At their intersection lies a key question: how do we rebuild, renew and regenerate fashion systems so they work for communities and culture, not just commerce?
The panel will explore how place-based practices, responsible media, and reconfigured supply chains can help reshape the systems that underpin the industry.
Lien Chi joined ELLE Vietnam in 2012 as Fashion editor. She was promoted to be the Managing Editor of ELLE Vietnam since 2016 and became the Editorial director in 2021. Her main responsibility is managing content strategies and development for ELLE, ELLEMAN, and ELLE DECORATION. Deeply inspired and believed in ELLE DNA - Women Empowerment - Lien Chi has made it one of her focuses as the editor of ELLE Vietnam to support, promote, and raise the voices of women in various industries.
Lien Chi believes that ELLE as a media platform needs to provide optimum support for Vietnamese women by telling stories and celebrating their creative or business successes. Commitment to Sustainability is also an area on which she has built the ground in the industry. Along with her team, she has spearheaded a long-term journey on sustainability, making ELLE the first fashion title in Vietnam to talk about Sustainable fashion. Since then, Lien Chi and ELLE Vietnam have embarked on various Sustainability projects including ELLE Fashion Journey, the annual Green Issue, collaboration projects with various brands.
Born and raised in a community of makers outside Hanoi, Vũ Thảo has spent more than two decades researching, practicing, and innovating across a wide range of weaving, dyeing, and textile techniques rooted in Vietnam’s diverse craft traditions. As a fashion designer, Thảo is known for creating elegant and contemporary collections that balance practicality with artistic expression. Her work bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern design. Her art and design practice, which focuses on sustainable textile traditions in contemporary Vietnam, has been exhibited internationally at prominent art and design exhibitions, university symposiums, and across major media platforms. She also serves as a mentor and judge for Vietnam Design Week.
Thảo established KILOMET109 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The brand is a pioneer of eco-fashion and an important voice in the contemporary slow fashion movement—not only in Vietnam, but across Asia. What makes KILOMET109 unique in today’s fashion world is the story behind each garment. The brand collaborates with communities of local craft artisans across Vietnam to grow, spin, weave, print, and naturally dye the fabrics used in KILOMET109 collections.
Haluk Demirtel is currently the Vice President of Operations at Li & Fung, based in Ho Chi Minh City. He oversees operations across 11 countries in the Greater ASEAN region which consists of Southeast Asia with an addition of Korea and Taiwan.
Since joining Li & Fung Vietnam in 2017, he has focused on driving operational efficiency through lean management and data-driven decision-making. He also founded and currently leads a 27-month accelerated talent development program designed to help young professionals and fresh graduates build careers in supply chains and merchandising across the region.
Prior to role, he served as Divisional Operations Manager for Li & Fung in Turkey in 2012. Earlier in his career, Haluk worked in credit and risk management at JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America in North America, where he built a strong foundation in finance, risk analysis, and corporate banking operations.
Haluk also serves as a member of the RMIT University Industry Advisory Committee for Vietnam.
Professor Donna Cleveland is the Dean of the School of Communication & Design at RMIT Vietnam. She leads a diverse academic community across seven programs, driving excellence in teaching, research, and industry engagement. Her research focuses on sustainability in design, circular economy practices, and future materials, with a particular emphasis on regenerative fashion and human-material interactions.
With a strong background in academic leadership, Donna has played a key role in embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum at RMIT Vietnam, ensuring students graduate with future-ready skills. She has secured multiple research grants in sustainability, digital innovation, and industry-partnered learning.
This panel discussion is open to registered IFFTI conference attendees only.
