Assembly: Available to Promise – Hidden Systems and Unseen Labour

On Friday 29 May 2026, State of Fashion, together with ArtEZ University of the Arts, in collaboration with NewTexEco, is organising the ‘Assembly Available to Promise: Hidden Systems and Unseen Labour’.

This meeting brings together designers, artists, students, researchers, businesses, policymakers and other professionals to explore different perspectives on hidden systems and invisible labour within the fashion industry. Which systems often remain out of sight? Which forms of labour are not seen and what are their consequences? And above all, how can we make these invisible processes visible and harness them for more equitable and sustainable fashion systems?

With interactive presentations, workshops, creative interventions, mini-exhibitions and panel discussions, participants will collectively explore how making invisible labour visible can lead to new ways of designing, producing and wearing.

For NewTexEco, this assembly is an important moment to bring together knowledge and insights from research and practice. Experts from the network will contribute and reflect on the transition to a circular and fair textile chain.

The assembly is part of the State of Fashion Biennale and presents, among other things, initial results of the research project (In)visible Labour, in which partners from the NewTexEco network are also involved.

This message is a Save the Date. The full programme will follow in April. Please note that the number of places for this assembly is limited. Sign up here in advance.

Photo credits: work by Debora Zielhuis (ArtEZ)