13 March 2025

A Transformative Discussion on Fashion 5.0 and Launch of New Executive Programs (Specialized Executive MBA and Executive DBA) by
École des Ponts Business School and Milano Fashion Institute (MFI)

Yesterday, École des Ponts Business School hosted an extraordinary edition of the ReTech Center Specialization Series, focusing on Fashion 5.0.

Led by Simone Cipriani, Dean for Executive Education at Milano Fashion Institute (MFI), and Dr. Saman Sarbazvatan, Vice Dean of École des Ponts Business School and Founding Director of ReTech Center, the event gathered an outstanding panel of industry pioneers, thought leaders, and innovators to discuss the emerging desirable futures of luxury fashion.

The panel discussion focused on how Industry 5.0 principles are shaping the next era of luxury. The distinguished panelists included:

• Suzy Menkes – Globally renowned journalist and fashion critic, former editor for the International Herald Tribune Ltd (U.K.) and Vogue International.
• Pascal Morand – Executive President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, ReTech Center Fashion 5.0 Board Member.
• Carlo Capasa – President of The National Chamber for Italian Fashion (CNMI) and ReTech Center Fashion 5.0 Board Member.
• Paola Deda – Director at the UNECE: Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6), Chair of the United Nations Alliance on Sustainable Fashion, and ReTech Center Fashion 5.0 Board Member.
• Simone Cipriani (moderator) – Founder of the UN Ethical Fashion Initiative, Dean of Milano Fashion Institute (MFI), and Senior Fellow at ReTech Center.
• Dr. Saman Sarbazvatan (co-moderator) – Vice Dean of École des Ponts Business School, Founding Director of ReTech Center, Professor of Industry 5.0.
• Throughout the panel, experts explored key themes at the intersection of technology, ethics, and sustainability, including:
• Industry 5.0 & Human-Centric Innovation – The balance between automation and human craftsmanship in the digital age.
• Sustainability & Circularity – The transition from sustainability to fully regenerative and circular luxury ecosystems.
• Governance & Policy – The role of regulatory frameworks in shaping a responsible future for luxury fashion.
• AI Ethics & Digitalization – The impact of AI and traceability systems on transparency, measurability, and accountability. And Ethics & Aesthetics , how luxury brands can balance heritage, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge innovation in a responsible way.

Specialized Executive Programs in Fashion 5.0

As a highlight of the event, École des Ponts Business School and Milano Fashion Institute proudly announced the launch of two groundbreaking executive programs where fashion meets cutting-edge technology and responsible innovation. These executive programs focus on advanced strategy, competitiveness, governance, leadership, circularity, and regenerative business model innovation—equipping leaders to navigate industry shifts and drive meaningful transformation while staying committed to the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit.

• Fashion 5.0 Specialized Executive MBA (SEMBA Global): Designed for innovators, investors, and executives with at least five years of experience in fashion, luxury, and adjacent industries. This program is for those dedicated to building sustainable, future-ready businesses that balance profitability with environmental and social impact.
• Fashion 5.0 Specialized Executive DBA (SEDBA Global): Tailored for senior executives, board members, and governance professionals seeking to lead systemic change at the highest levels. With a strong emphasis on research at key inflection points, this program empowers leaders to anticipate industry disruptions, influence policy, and drive strategies that align long-term business success with responsible innovation.

Both programs, endorsed by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (The National Chamber for Italian Fashion) and École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC), are designed for forward-thinkers who believe that the future of fashion lies in sustainability, innovation, and impact—where business thrives in harmony with people and the planet.

These programs, set to launch in Fall 2025, will be the first of their kind to merge luxury fashion, sustainability, digital transformation, and responsible leadership under the Industry 5.0 paradigm.

More details on the curriculum, admissions, and structure will be released soon.

For those who missed the event, you can watch the recording of the panel discussion here.

To download the photo album of the event, click here.

(please refer to the image credits as mentioned: Photos by Maxime Chermat for ReTech Center | École des Ponts Business School – 2025)

About Milano Fashion Institute

Milano Fashion Institute (MFI) is a leading academic institution dedicated to higher education in fashion management. Located in Milan, it is supported by top Italian fashion organizations and specializes in training professionals who shape the future of the fashion industry through innovation, sustainability, and business excellence.

https://www.milanofashioninstitute.com/en/

About École des Ponts Business School – In Business To Make a Better World

École des Ponts Business School was founded in 1987 as the Business School of École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (ENPC), one of France’s most prestigious engineering and technology institutions (Grande Ecole), the world’s oldest civil engineering school founded in 1747 and a member of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IPP).

Based in Paris, École des Ponts Business School is globally recognized for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and leadership in Industry 5.0 education. It offers executive programs with a global reach, training future leaders across industries, job functions and geographies.

https://pontsbschool.com/

For further inquiries, please contact:

📩 Sonia Nicastro (École des Ponts Business School) – nicastro@pontsbschool.com
📩 Elisa Corbetta (Milano Fashion Institute) – elisa.corbetta@milanofashioninstitute.it