Dr. Hakan Karaosman is transforming the fashion industry by advocating for transparency and accountability in supply chains. His journey began in a modest setting, where his mother sewed garments to support their family. Today, he stands as a prominent figure in sustainable fashion, recognized for his commitment to improving labor conditions and promoting ethical practices.
Currently an Associate Professor at Politecnico di Milano and a Visiting Scholar at University College Dublin, Karaosman occupies a pivotal role at the intersection of academia, policy, and industry. His extensive research and advocacy have established him as a trusted expert among brands and organizations dedicated to implementing genuine reforms rather than superficial sustainability statements.
Building a Responsible Fashion Ecosystem
Karaosman is a co-founder of FReSCH (Fashion’s Responsible Supply Chain Hub), an initiative backed by the European Union that aims to create systemic change in the fashion sector. His collaboration with various stakeholders, including brands such as Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo, focuses on integrating sustainability into luxury fashion supply chains. This effort extends beyond mere environmental concerns, addressing issues such as labor rights, particularly for women in the Global South.
His academic credentials are impressive. Karaosman holds a double doctorate from Politecnico di Milano and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, concentrating on sustainability in luxury fashion. He also completed an Erasmus Mundus Master’s in energy and environmental management across three countries—Spain, France, and Sweden. This foundation equips him to advocate for a comprehensive, people-first approach to sustainability.
Karaosman’s work through FReSCH has resulted in significant policy insights that have informed initiatives by the European Commission, the Welsh Government, and various United Nations bodies. The coalition he has built includes NGOs, researchers, and policymakers, all working to confront challenges such as heat stress in garment factories and the invisibility of labor.
Recognition and Future Endeavors
His contributions to the field have been widely recognized. Recently, Karaosman was featured in a five-part series by Forbes on sustainable fashion, where he discussed the necessary reforms for achieving equity and accountability in global supply chains. His accolades include being named in the Vogue Business 100 Innovators: Class of 2023, receiving the Greenpeace Italia Voice for the Climate Award, and earning Cardiff University’s Excellence in Sustainability Award. In March 2023, FReSCH received the Financial Times Responsible Business Education Award, highlighting its role in transforming academic insights into actionable industry tools.
Looking ahead, Karaosman’s research at Politecnico di Milano will focus on three critical areas: social justice, decarbonization, and supply chain resilience. His teaching methods emphasize systems thinking and inclusive leadership, preparing students to not only enter the industry but to actively reshape it.
Karaosman continues to be a proactive leader, organizing high-impact discussions at events ranging from Milan Fashion Week to TEDx stages. By bringing garment workers into conversations alongside luxury executives and government officials, he is challenging the traditional power dynamics in the fashion industry.
Dr. Hakan Karaosman represents a new generation of leaders in fashion, where sustainability is not merely a trend but a fundamental principle. His commitment to justice and equity lays the groundwork for a more transparent and accountable future in the fashion sector.
