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ACTAsia’s 11th International Sustainable Fur-Free Fashion Gala brings industry Together in Shenzhen
On 22 October 2026, ACTAsia and SS27 Shenzhen Original Fashion Week co-hosted the 11th International Sustainable Fur-Free Fashion Gala at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center in Futian, Shenzhen. At the heart of the event was the 2026 Compassion in Fashion Forum, “Wearable Wisdom: Bridging Production, Education, and Consumption in Sustainable Fashion”, which was featured on the official summit agenda of the 33rd Fashion Source Shenzhen exhibition.
The Forum brought together people working across fashion education, textile innovation, brand management and exhibitions to explore how sustainable materials, education and business practice can help move the industry towards a more responsible future.
The Forum opened with welcome remarks from Pei Su, Founder and CEO of ACTAsia. Pei was joined by Zhang Xiangquan, Managing Director of Zhiao Pengcheng (Shenzhen) Exhibition Co., Ltd., Executive President of the Shenzhen Garment Supply Chain Association and Chairman of Shenzhen Original Fashion Week who took to the stage to welcome attendees. ACTAsia was delighted that Kerry Bannigan, Founder and Executive Director of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network (UNFLN), also sent a welcome video message.
In the keynote session, Zhu Zhiyuan, ACTAsia’s Caring for Life Education Officer and Greater China Liaison for the International Fur Free Retailer Programme, presented “Consumer Trends Reshaping the Industry: Insights from Seven Years of Chinese Fur Market Research” and launched the China Fur Industry and Consumer Survey Report. Drawing on seven years of research, he explored developments across the fur industry and examined what consumer attitudes reveal about a changing market. He also considered the factors shaping these attitudes, both within the fashion industry and beyond. The findings offer brands, designers and fabric suppliers evidence to inform their decisions as they consider the transition to fur free fashion.
John Lau, ACTAsia’s professional advisor and Dean of Academic Strategy at London College of Fashion (LCF), followed with a keynote speech titled “How Fashion Education Empowers Brands: ESG and the Commercial Rollout of Fur Free”. He explored the challenges facing an industry under growing pressure to become more sustainable, and how fashion education can help brands respond and adapt. He also looked at ways fashion colleges and local brands can work together to engage consumers and encourage lasting change in purchasing behaviour.
Two roundtable discussions brought the Forum’s themes into practical focus. The first, “Sustainable Materials: Bio-based and Circular”, was moderated by Liu Xiaoya, ACTAsia’s China Project Director. Panellists Zeng Yuan, Assistant General Manager and ESG Lead at IDOLE; Duan Lingshuang, Sustainability Director at GOOD CYCLE; and Tan Xiaolan, Head of Overseas Markets at XUAN PAPER®, shared examples of alternative materials, including bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) fur, paper-yarn fabric and fabric made from recycled marine plastic waste. They discussed how these materials compare in terms of carbon footprint, resource use and pollution prevention. They also discussed the challenges of bringing these products from development into the market and helping consumers understand their benefits.
The second roundtable, “Sustainable Brands: A Closed-Loop Model from Production to Consumption”, was moderated by Pei Su, Founder and CEO of ACTAsia. The discussion brought together Yuan Zhenhua, President and Executive Director of C°BANNER International Holdings Limited; Yang Yingying, contemporary artist, founder of TUYUE and Vice President of the Guangdong Fashion Designers Association; Wang Lexin, Head of Brand Business at Zuny China; and John Lau from LCF. They explored how sustainability can help brands reach new markets, and how ideas developed by designers can connect with consumers and influence purchasing choices. Panellists also shared examples of progress in materials and design, production and logistics, and public communication and advocacy. The roundtable participants also took the opportunity to discuss their thoughts on the future of sustainable fashion and lifestyles.
The Forum concluded with ACTAsia presenting certificates to new members of the 2026 International Fur Free Retailer (FFR) Programme. Among the companies recognised were C°BANNER Group, GOOD CYCLE and Zuny.
ACTAsia is working to expand the programme in China, inviting fashion brands, designers and manufacturers to commit to a fur free future by no longer using or selling animal fur. The aim is to help make fur free choices more widely available to consumers and support a fashion industry grounded in caring for life. More than 1,700 brands and designers worldwide have now joined the programme.
By bringing research, education and industry experience together, the Forum connected different parts of the fashion supply chain and made the case for fur free fashion in a practical, business-focused setting. ACTAsia has held the International Sustainable Fur-Free Fashion Gala in China every year since 2014. Drawing on fashion’s influence, the Gala champions the principle that “sustainable fashion starts with fur free” and brings together brands, designers, media, academics and consumers to promote more responsible production and consumption. The 11th gala carried this work forward, helping to build a shared commitment and momentum for a fashion industry in China where people, animals and the environment can thrive in harmony
If you would like to support compassionate education and the fur free movement, learn how you can get involved and consider donating today.
