Group photo of the event

Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Inditex and a member of the Advisory Board at Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM), engaged with more than 60 students during the 2024 Tsinghua SDG Open Hack Inditex Hack8 on October 24, 2024. The event, which focused on sustainable innovation solutions for the fashion industry, was moderated by Hao Xiuqing, director of Tsinghua x-lab.

Óscar García Maceiras (second from the left), CEO of Inditex, presents participation certificates to student representatives from the Wasted Clothing Upcycling Workshop with Inditex.

He Ping, associate dean of Tsinghua SEM, welcomed Maceiras and highlighted x-lab’s 11-year leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship education among Chinese universities. He said the Tsinghua SDG Open Hack, the first university innovation challenge in China aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in China, has inspired over 7,000 students to develop more than 1,000 innovative solutions in its five editions.

He Ping, Associate Dean of Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, delivers a speech.

In 2022, corporate-sponsored industry hacks were introduced, drawing praise from both participating companies and students for offering practical opportunities to implement innovative ideas in real-world corporate settings. He stressed the importance of this year's collaboration with Inditex, which attracted more than 150 students from over 20 departments of Tsinghua and other universities to create solutions for eco-friendly consumption, textile recycling, and sustainable fashion.

He also noted how the Wasted Clothing Upcycling Workshop with Inditex underscored students' deep insight into the nexus of sustainability and fashion, expressing hope that future collaborations would position them as pioneers in the industry.

Qian Xiaojun, associate dean of Schwarzman College and director of the Green Economy and Sustainable Development Research Center at Tsinghua University, also spoke at the event. She reflected on the partnership between Inditex and the research center, praising Inditex's contributions to promoting sustainable fashion. Qian expressed hope that the SDG Open Hack series, in collaboration with Inditex, would inspire students to be creative, deepen their understanding of sustainable development, and motivate them to take action.

Qian Xiaojun, associate dean of Schwarzman College and director of the Green Economy and Sustainable Development Research Center at Tsinghua University, delivers her speech.

She emphasized that sustainable development is a shared responsibility for society as a whole, with education playing a crucial role. She expressed her desire for continued cooperation with Inditex to advance global sustainability efforts.

Three outstanding teams from the Inditex Hack8—Green Giants, G29, and Novus—presented their innovative solutions at the event. Green Giants proposed a platform thast uses AI technology to transform old garments into trendy fashion items, empowering marginalized communities and promoting sustainable consumer practices. G29 developed a digital platform aimed at incentivizing sustainable behavior, supporting the fashion indusdtry's green transition. Novus introduced an AI-assisted solution to repurpose old clothing into traditional heritage artworks.

Green Giants presents its project.

G29 presents its project.

Novus presents its project.

During the feedback session, Maceiras praised the teams' proposals, recognizing their keen insights into the challenges of sustainable development in the fashion industry. He noted that their solutions not only addressed these challenges but also factored in key business considerations while leveraging new technologies. He encouraged the teams to continue their entrepreneurial approach and openness, expressing hope for future collaboration.

Following these presentations, three teams from the Wasted Clothing Upcycling Workshop with Inditex—REborn, UpCycle, and I&∞ (Immortal&Infinity)—showcased their creative projects. REborn, inspired by theater's "quick changes," used detachable, transformable, and modular techniques to blur style boundaries, showcasing the appeal of "one garment, multiple looks". UpCycle combined recycled fabrics with plant-inspired textures through weaving and handcrafting, underscoring the connection between fashion and sustainability. The I&∞ team focused on reviving traditional culture by incorporating Chishui bamboo weaving and other fabric modification techniques to breathe new life into old clothes.

REborn showcases its works.

UpCycle showcases its works.

I&∞ showcases its works.

The screening of the Inditex Hack8 documentary marked the finale of the classroom activity. The film showcased the stories behind the students' achievements, illustrating how teams from diverse backgrounds collaborated under tight deadlines to turn their sustainable innovation ideas into reality using trending topics and technological tools. Their projects emphasized that the future of sustainable fashion goes beyond upcycling clothes - it's also about self-expression. Their work brought new energy to discussions on sustainable development within the fashion industry at Tsinghua University.

Screening of the Inditex Hack8 documentary

Maceiras presented participation certificates to student representatives from the Wasted Clothing Upcycling Workshop with Inditex, congratulating the "fashion designers" on their upcycled creations. He advised students aspiring to work in the fashion industry to prioritize design, quality, materials, and inspiration, alongside entrepreneurship. While artificial intelligence enhances efficiency and creativity, Maceiras emphasized that fashion is more than trading garments - it reflects how we interact with others, our communities, and the world. He noted that human intelligence and creativity remain vital to the uniqueness of development in the industry.

He Ping presented the Tsinghua SDG Open Hack mentor certificate to Óscar García Maceiras, thanking him for his on-site guidance to the innovation teams and his contributions to sustainable innovation. Hao Xiuqing then presented Maceiras with an Inditex Hack8 memorial album, signed by students and faculty. The gift symbolized the appreciation and best wishes from the Tsinghua community, celebrating the Hack8 program's remarkable achievements.

He Ping presents the Tsinghua SDG Open Hack mentor certificate to Óscar García Maceiras.

Hao Xiuqing presents a gift to Óscar García Maceiras.

Source: Tsinghua x-lab

Editor: Ren Zhongxi