A special report from D-Congress

We speak with Kieran Long, director of Amos Rex in Helsinki. After leading the architecture and design museum ArkDes in Stockholm and the design department at the V&A museum in London, Kieran Long now heads one of the most progressive institutions in the Nordics. Amos Rex in HelsinkiIn this conversation, recorded during Fashion in Helsinki, we talk about:Why fashion is more than clothes, it’s cultureHow museums can become spaces for self-expression and public dialogueThe impact of AI on creativity and artistic practiceLessons from working with the iconic Finnish fashion personality Minttu Vesala and staging fashion shows in public spaceHosted by:Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We speak with Lauren Crichton, Director of Marketing at Sana, about their recent AI Summit – one of the most important tech events in the Nordics. The event gathered leading thinkers on the global AI scene, and Lauren was at the center as the host and moderator.  In this episode we discuss:Sana’s mission of empowering knowledgeHow organisations need to foster a safe environment for AI experimentation Why writing remains a vital skill despite the rise of generative AI How creatives can play a crucial role in an AI-driven future.Hosted by:Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second episode of our double release, we shift focus to the brand and technology side of the transparency conversation. What does it really take to implement data-driven sustainability? How can fashion and outdoor brands use traceability to not only comply with regulation—but to create new business models and consumer experiences? This panel explores best practices, hard-earned lessons, and the exciting potential of the Digital Product Passport.In this episode, we discuss:– How brands are piloting Digital Product Passports and integrating them with suppliers– The organisational and tech challenges of becoming data-driven– Why transparency is about more than compliance — it’s about future business value– How DPPs can enable better resale, repair, community-building, and product storytellingWe speak with:Sara M. Rakstang, Founder & CEO, RepassJohan Graffner, CEO at Dedicated, Co-Founder at Vintage & FriendsLinda Pimmeshofer, Founder, Change RetailHosted by:Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the first of two episodes from our recent Transformation Talks in Stockholm. We dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of EU legislation and what it means for international fashion and textile businesses. We speak with:Hege Schøyen, Partner, Frøya VenturesStaffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs, GS1 SwedenMagnus Nikkarinen, Senior Policy Director, Swedish Commerce (Svensk Handel) In this episode, we discuss:– The status and implications of the EU Omnibus Package for fashion brands– How sustainability reporting (CSRD) is evolving for small and medium businesses– The role of Digital Product Passports and supply chain traceability– How companies can turn compliance into commercial opportunityHosted by:Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We speak to renowned photographer and magazine editor Rankin about his latest project Faik Off, an exhibition and magazine that explores the ethical, creative, and existential implications of artificial intelligence in photography.We discussed:The making of Faik Off, a 420-page AI-powered magazine exploring art, ethics, and identity.Why Rankin describes working with AI as “dirty, exciting, and terrifying.”How AI is hallenging traditional Notions of Authorship, Taste, and CreativityThe legal minefield of AI-generated content — and why the magazine can’t be shipped outside the UK.Hosted by:Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MINDErik Olofsson Haavikko, Creative Director and co-founder, Scandinavian MIND.—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We revisit yesterday’s Transformation Talks in Borås, where we discussed transparency and long-term supplier relationships are creating new business value for workwear and outdoor brands. On stage was•Fanny Ekholm, CSR Manager at Didriksons•Ann Carlsson, CSR & Environment Manager at Blåkläder•Sara M. Rakstang, Founder & CEO of RepassWe discussed.Long-term supplier relationships enhance transparency in the supply chain.Circular economy practices need to be scalable and integrated into business modelsData collection is crucial for understanding sustainability impacts.Hosted by Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sit down with Marcus Hartmann, Regional Head of Sustainability & Public Affairs at H&M North Europe, to unpack the fashion giant’s most recent sustainability report — and the company’s evolving strategy for reducing its environmental footprint.In this conversation, we discuss the realities behind overproduction, the promise and limits of resale, and why transparency is both a communications challenge and a business imperative. Marcus also shares H&M’s perspective on upcoming EU legislation and the role of collaboration in driving systemic change. In this conversation, we talk about:Why H&M is doubling down on transparency in its sustainability effortsThe significance of disclosing total production volumes — and what the numbers revealHow resale is growing, but still accounts for just 0.6% of turnoverWhy decoupling financial growth from resource use is a “tough cookie,” but non-negotiableThe technologies H&M is betting on — from AI to fiber-to-fiber recyclingHosted by Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We speak to Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs at GS1, about the recent developments in EU legislation affecting the textile industry, particularly following the introduction of the Omnibus Simplification Package in February 2025.What does this all mean? We speak to Staffan about:How the Omibus package affects key legislative frameworks CSRD and CSDDD How relaxations in reporting requirements may not diminish the overall sustainability ambition of the EU.Why data and traceability are essential for achieving sustainability goals in the fashion industry.How GS1 aims to inspire the industry to start preparing for sustainability and digitalisationHosted by Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are speaking with Achim Berg, founder of FashionSIGHTS, about the role of AI and technology in the fashion system, fashion as a wealth generator, and his advice to Nordic premium brands. FashionSIGHTS is an independent corporate think tank that aims to redefine thought leadership and advisory by transforming data, experience, and expertise into actionable insights.Achim is already an established thought leader in the industry. He worked for 24 years at McKinsey & Company, where he was instrumental in founding and leading the global Apparel, Fashion, and Luxury practice. In this conversation, we talk about:His observations for attending D-Congress in GothenburgWhy AI is a significant game changer for the fashion industryHow Fashion became the third largest wealth-generating industry after technology and financeHow to navigate technology and complianceHis advice to brands in the Nordic marketHosts:Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We record directly from the biggest retail events in the Nordics, D-Congress in Gothenburg, where we have hosted several panel talks and arranged our first exclusive round table discussion with leaders from retail, fashion and the tech industry. Hosts:Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MINDLinda Pimmeshofer, Founder, Change Retail—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.