Olympia Dalley

On September 26th, The “female mastermind group” Fylí and the global hospitality group SHŌ held an exclusive dinner at Cracco to close MFW for a group of Milan’s top fashion industry insiders. With sustainability, diversity, and global impact at the forefront of the conversation surrounding Italy’s evolving fashion industry, Fyli’s “Illuminating Your Purpose to Create Impact” brought together women from across the globe to form valuable connections that will lead to necessary action.

Milan Fashion Week’s “Illuminating Your Purpose to Create Impact Dinner.” Guests dining at Cracco.

While fashion shows, celebrities, and designer clothing usually take center stage during fashion,  not too far behind the curtain, there’s an entire industry of designers, advisors, and investors working to bring sustainably and diversity to the forefront of the global fashion industry. With this in mind, the CEO of Fylí, Jaclynn Brennen, paired with culture visionary, advisor, and catalyst, Orietta Pelizzari, to connect some of Fylí’s U.S based key investors and Milan’s most notable figures within the fashion industry. “Now more than ever, the Italian fashion industry is seeking more sustainable practices, greater diversity and inclusion, and impactful international relations,” explains Jaclynn. “Fylí joined the Milan Fashion Week calendar to develop a curated experience to help create conversations and forge the relationships, resources, and funding necessary to drive actionable solutions.”

Orietta Pelizzari (left)

Paola Arosio (left), Catherine Sypert (right)

Among the group were CNMI Sustainability Fashion Award Winners – Ara Lumeire and NKWO, renowned showroom CEOs Ricardo Grassi of RG Showroom and Sabrina Scarpelinni Bonini of Massimo Bonini,  Head of Fashion at Riscante Federica Montelli, Italian designer Luisa Beccaria, Head of Sustainability and New Brands Projects for the Italian Fashion Council, Paola Arosia. During the evening’s reception, Catherine Sypert, COO and Head of House at Fylí, shared a little more insight into what sparked the idea to host the “Illuminating Your Purpose to Create Impact” dinner and dive deeply into Italy’s fashion industry. “There’s been a lot of effort to focus on sustainability and cleaning up the fashion industry, which is the 2nd most harmful industry to our planet. While the Fylí community is industry agnostic, we have many impact investors looking for opportunities to invest in companies that impact, are focused on improving the world, and elevate women.” Fyli’s Community Manager, Mia Callens,  added, ” Italy’s dedication to sustainability and seeing how the needle has moved towards sustainability in the Italian fashion space is something that the global fashion industry can learn from. It is amazing how they set up different initiatives and legislation to hold designers and brands accountable for creating more green production processes so we can continue pushing for a better planet for future generations.”

Mia Callens (left), Aram Ostadian-Binai (center)

The evening was not without some excellent food and fun. At each guest table setting were custom-made place cards; one was the menu, and the other with three questions for each guest at their table to answer during their introduction. The menu was curated and sponsored by the upcoming hospitality group SHŌ. There was incredibly impactful energy flowing the Cracco and all of Fyli’s guests. Witnessing women from across the globe come together to learn from each other, uplift one another, and build relationships to create change through fashion was an incredible experience.