More than five hundred executives from the fashion industry gathered at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona for the Barcelona Fashion Summit 2026 (BFS2026), held under the theme “CROSSROAD: making fashion in a world that trembles.” It was a pleasure for Sedna Executive Search to participate in this important industry event and gain valuable insights from leaders shaping the future of international fashion.
The summit highlighted a clear reality: the fashion industry is operating in an environment defined by uncertainty, constant transformation, and strategic decision-making. Throughout the event, several key reflections stood out.
Gemma D’Auria from McKinsey & Company emphasized that meaningful growth in the coming years will largely come through acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Toni Ruiz Tubau, CEO of MANGO, highlighted the importance of preparing organizations for uncertainty, noting that while not everything can be predicted, companies must develop robust risk maps to anticipate different scenarios and respond with agility.
One of the most thought-provoking interventions came from Javier Vello Cuadrado from EY Studio+, who stated that “we have stopped inspiring.” He encouraged the fashion industry to become less inward-looking and more open to external perspectives and new forms of leadership. He also stressed the importance of attracting talent and leadership from outside the sector — a vision that strongly resonates with Sedna Executive Search’s approach to executive recruitment and leadership development.
At Sedna Executive Search, we highly value being present at events such as BFS2026 to better understand market evolution, strengthen our network within the industry, and continue placing people at the center of growth strategies. In a rapidly changing business environment, we believe that adaptability, strategic vision, and human leadership remain essential drivers of long-term success.