On September 5, 2025, Shanghai International Fashion Education Center (SIFEC) hosted the China Fashion Talent Development Alliance (CFTA) Forum, coinciding with its 70th anniversary. The event gathered leaders from education, industry, and research to explore new models of talent cultivation in the digital era.

Speakers from universities and enterprises shared insights on topics including metaverse fashion, digital art protection, heritage-inspired design, and AI-driven innovation. The upgraded China Cup YOUNCORE Awards at Shanghai Fashion Week were also unveiled, aiming to support young designers and strengthen global collaboration.

Party Secretary and Chairwoman LYU Wenjun reviewed SIFEC’s seven decades in advancing fashion education and highlighted the role of CFTA in integrating education with industry. She noted that SIFEC’s growth mirrors the transformation of China’s textile and fashion industries, with competitions such as the China Cup serving as a driving force for nurturing new talent.

Chairman SHAO Feng of Shanghai Fashion Industry Development Center reflected on SIFEC’s 70-year journey as closely linked with the evolution of China’s textile industry. He noted that the China Cup, founded in 1995, has become a leading authority in Chinese fashion design, continuously evolving to promote industry–education integration and full-chain talent development.

In closing, JI Xiaofeng, President of China Textile Education Association, praised SIFEC’s contributions and called for deeper cooperation to build an open, innovative, and internationally connected fashion education ecosystem.

The forum celebrated SIFEC’s 70 years of achievement while marking a new era for nurturing creative, forward-looking talent. Members of the CFTA will continue to collaborate closely, driving innovation and sustainability in China’s fashion industry and shaping its global influence for years to come.