On 19 November 2025, the Festival of Digital Innovations in Fashion and Textiles (CLOTEX D-FEST) took place. The event brought together manufacturers, designers, suppliers, business owners, as well as representatives of educational institutions, public authorities and donor organisations, all united by a shared goal: the digitalisation of the light industry. the digitalisation of the light industry..
For CLOTEX-HUB, this event marked an important step in expanding its partner network, promoting services among SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), and raising awareness of the benefits of digital transformation in the light industry. New contacts, ideas for cooperation and requests for pilot projects are already being translated into concrete initiatives. It is worth noting that Clotex-HUB is co-financed by the European Union through the “Digital Europe” Programme.
Participation in such a large-scale event enabled attendees to:
- explore innovations – learn about the latest technologies and developments in artificial intelligence and software presented by developers;
- gain practical insights – discuss the outcomes of a year of activity of EDIH CLOTEX-HUB and other EDIHs in Ukraine, partnerships, success stories and prospects for international cooperation, as well as the impact of the Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and Digital Europe programmes on Ukraine’s economic development;
- take part in networking sessions – establish professional contacts with potential partners and entrepreneurs.
An exhibition of projects was presented in the lobby of Building 4 of Khmelnytskyi National University, focusing on innovations in 3D clothing design, virtual fitting, automation of garment production and other technologies shaping the new reality of the light industry. The exhibitors included: GetMyLook – a digital stylist (Kyiv); SM Shveimash – a leader in the sale of sewing equipment; Comp Life – a partner in the digitalisation and automation of garment manufacturing; clothing manufacturers; the Wedding Cluster; MaxSport – a manufacturer of sports and adaptive clothing; and participants of the TECHSTYLE HACKATHON. University projects applying digital technologies across various fields were also showcased.
The official opening of the Festival of Digital Innovations in Fashion and Textiles (CLOTEX D-FEST) featured welcoming speeches by:
Serhii Matiukh, Rector of Khmelnytskyi National University;
Oleh Demchuk, Chairman of the Board of the NGO “ASTAR”;
Viacheslav Askerov, Chairman of the Board of the NGO “IT Cluster”;
Halyna Shvets, Cluster Manager of the Podillia Fashion Cluster.
The next session of the festival focused on the annual results of EDIH CLOTEX-HUB and EDIHs in Ukraine. The speakers included:
– Oleksii Fedorov, Head of the Department of Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation;
– Kristina SAUE, Project Adviser, European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA);
– Mihaela LAFONT, Programme Officer, DG Cnect (European Commission);
– Oksana Zakharkevych, Professor of the Department of Garment Technology and Design, Head of the Research Department of KNU, Coordinator of the EDIH CLOTEX-HUB project;
– Tetiana Askerova, Cluster Manager, IT Cluster of Khmelnytskyi;
– Lesia Sobolevska, Coordinator of EDIH Kyiv HighTech;
– Petro Pyvovar, Head of the Educational and Research Centre for Space and Geoinformation Technologies of Polissia National University, POLIDIH.
The practical part of the Festival of Digital Innovations in Fashion and Textiles (CLOTEX D-FEST) consisted of several thematic blocks.
The discussion platform “Synergy of Projects: Erasmus, Horizon Europe, Digital Europe” (moderator: Kateryna Skyba, Vice-Rector for Academic and Pedagogical Work, Khmelnytskyi National University, U_CAN project – Horizon Europe) featured contributions from:
– Oksana Zakharkevych, Professor of the Department of Garment Technology and Design, Head of the Research Department of KNU, Coordinator of the EDIH CLOTEX-HUB project;
– Pavlo Radiuk, Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Science, KNU (U_CAN project – Horizon Europe);
– Tetiana Hovorushchenko, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technologies, KNU (MOVEX & SMART-PL projects – Erasmus);
– Oksana Mykhailovska, Associate Professor of the Department of Fashion Industry in Light Industry (3D4U project – Erasmus);
– Kalyna Pashkevych, Dean of the Faculty of Design, Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (INNOVATEX project – Erasmus)
– Olena Herasymenko, Associate Professor of the Department of Costume Art and Design, KNUTD (INNOVATEX project – Erasmus);
– Mariia Artemenko, First Vice-Rector of Kherson National Technical University (INNOVATEX project – Erasmus).
The session “Sewing Clusters of Ukraine – Our Clients” (exchange of best practices in assessing digital maturity and supporting SMEs), moderated by Halyna Shvets, Cluster Manager of the Podillia Fashion Cluster, included presentations by:
– Anna Semeiko, Adviser on SME Digitalisation in Eastern Partnership countries, GIZ;
– Tetiana Izovit, President and Chair of the Board of the Ukrlegprom Association;
– Rodica NEGRU, Deputy Project Director, Inoteck (Moldova);
– Tijay JEGHELIAN, Programs Director, Impact HUB Yerevan (Armenia);
– Maryna Vasylieva, NGO “Export Alliance ‘Ukrainian Wedding Dresses’”.
In addition, Oksana Straz, Executive Director of the Lviv Furniture Cluster, and Oksana Kharkina, Founder and Head of the Light Industry Association (Rivne), also spoke during this session.
A particularly engaging and informative pitching session, “Digital Fashion Support: Challenges, Solutions and Success Stories” (moderator: Liudmyla Bukhantsova, Project Manager, Associate Professor of the Department of Garment Technology and Design), featured:
– Ihor Markevych, EIT Community Officer in Ukraine (“EIT Opportunities in Ukraine”);
– Nataliia Babanina, Project Manager of the Norwegian–Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC) (“Support for the Development of Ukrainian Business by the Kingdom of Norway”);
– Anastasiia Korobka, CEO, Innovative Digital Solutions for Business: GetMyLook;
– Diana Khasanova, Olha Chaiuk (“From Doubt to Confidence: the Power of the Perfect Colour”);
– Olha Zalutska (“AI-SortX”);
– Yaroslav Kazmirchuk, Kostiantyn Lianskorynskyi (“AutoPattern”);
– Alona Nechetaieva (“ChronoLogic”);
– Oleh Voichur (“HackNeedle – VR Simulator”).
In addition, Dmytro Kovalchuk, entrepreneur, co-founder and director of MaxSport and ADAPTIME, shared his success story and development pathways.
Certificates and letters of appreciation were awarded to partners, including Kalynivka Professional Technological College (Mariia Kozachenko, Anastasiia Antoniuk), Khmelnytskyi Polytechnic Professional College of Lviv Polytechnic National University, and the Khmelnytskyi Vocational Education Centre for the Service Sector.
A guided tour of the research and teaching laboratories of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, the Cybersecurity Research and Education Centre, and the classrooms of the Department of Garment Technology and Design allowed guests to familiarise themselves with the university’s research developments and material and technical facilities.
The highlight of the event was a phygital fashion show featuring original collections by the Khmelnytskyi Vocational Education Centre for the Service Sector, “COLOR FUSION” by Diana Khasanova, as well as the industrial collection of adaptive clothing “TOUCH YOUR HEART” (AdapTime brand).
It was an unforgettable, informative and inspiring day, filled with new discussions and discoveries. The atmosphere was truly incredible: creativity, lively interaction, and a strong sense that, together, we are creating something meaningful.
We sincerely thank our partners, speakers, participants and volunteers for organising and delivering the Festival of Digital Innovations in Fashion and Textiles. Clotex-HUB will continue to support companies in the sector by creating opportunities to showcase their technologies, integrate digital solutions and enter new markets.
