The Human Advantage: How repair, regulation and data are reshaping fashion and crafts

As closets and landfills overflow, traditional growth levers in e-commerce are reaching their limits. In a circular business system, value creation no longer ends at checkout. While fashion resale has gone mainstream, the next frontier lies in after-sales services such as repair, alteration, upcycling, and remaking — services that extend product life, reduce costly returns, and build lasting customer relationships beyond discounts.

This talk explores two powerful forces shaping the future of craftsmanship and the trims and components industry at a moment when AI is transforming business, yet human skill and care are becoming more valuable than ever. As automation accelerates, people increasingly seek authenticity and personal connection — and craftsmanship offers something uniquely human that cannot be replaced by algorithms. For workshops and component suppliers alike, repair-driven business models open new growth paths and strategic relevance within retail ecosystems.

At the same time, evolving EU regulations — including the Ecodesign Regulation, Right-to-Repair, and Extended Producer Responsibility — are pushing durability and after-sales services into the strategic core of fashion and retail. The resulting Digital Product Passport will not only increase traceability, but also shine a new light on repair expertise, spare parts, and material quality across product lifecycles.

Drawing on five years of hands-on experience building a platform for textile and shoe repairs — Dr. Monika Hauck shares what it really takes to digitise a deeply analogue industry: from reverse logistics and non-standardised products to integrating local craftsmanship into scalable digital workflows. The talk offers a forward-looking perspective on how technology can elevate craft, connect workshops to global brands, and turn circularity into a lasting competitive advantage.