Carmen Artigas

Circular Fashion Designer & Creative Consultant

Carmen was born in Mexico City and received her education in Milan. With over 20 years of design experience working with brands from luxury to mass-market such as Donna Karan, Swatch, Kate Spade, Home Depot, and Walmart, she is a multidisciplinary designer, researcher, and consultant who specializes in integrating circular design practices within the fashion industry. She has dedicated herself to preserving endangered artisan techniques, respecting nature's harvesting cycles, and creating sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and the communities that produce them.

The fashion industry is one of the earth's biggest polluters. Successful, contemporary brands re-envision themselves as part of the solution, implementing preventive measures and restorative practices. Brands now have the tools to creatively develop products that are beautiful, commercial and sustainable. 

Carmen has become an expert at anticipating challenges in the marketplace and is deeply committed to promoting cultural sensitivity, diversity, and preventing cultural misappropriation and neocolonialism within the fashion industry. She advises start-ups, established brands, trade organizations, and cultural and educational institutions interested in improving their sourcing, manufacturing, labor, and marketing practices. Her goal is to help build resilient businesses that prioritize cultural respect and understanding, gender equality, and sustainable practices while minimizing their human and environmental impact.

Workshop: Changemakers & Leadership opportunities in arts and culture sectors

Session: 3, 4