School uniforms are the focus of government and business

The Strategy Session of the Programme Committee of the National Congress of School Uniform Manufacturers on School Uniforms: Challenges, Barriers and New Opportunities has become one of the first events of the conference programme of CJF – Child and Junior Fashion 2023. Spring opened today at Expocentre Fairgrounds.

The session brought together exhibitors from the light industry sector involved in the manufacture of uniforms for the younger generation.

The event is organised by the Children's Goods Industry Association and supported by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, EXPOCENTRE AO.

Antonina Tsitsulina, President of AIDT, moderated the discussion. She suggested that the programme of the forthcoming National Congress of School Uniform Manufacturers in early summer should be formed on the basis of the proposals made by the participants in today's discussion. “We see that more and more companies are appearing, especially in the segment of fashion, which can become the driving force of the industry. I would like us to present the proposals of those Russian manufacturers who are its headlines”, she noted in her opening speech.

The discussion focused on such topics as development of criteria for the Register of school uniform manufacturers, improvement of efficiency of labelling, social support measures for consumers to buy clothing for school from domestic manufacturers, increasing awareness of Russian brands of school clothing, including subsidies for TV advertising costs, possible changes in the legislation on school uniform issues.

Maria Chekshezerova, Director General of Orbita factory (Orby), who presented the position of the Children's Clothing Committee of AIDT, Asmik Gevorgyan, General Director of Modny Stil (TM Stilnyashki), Maria Kalinina, Development Director of Little Lady, Elvira Dozorova, Sales Director of IE Krutov Andrey, as well as other participants of the strategic session shared their views on the desirable future of the children's schoolwear industry.

Many speakers stressed that the dialogue between the state and industry representatives regarding the development of the school uniform sector in Russia should also take into account the opinion of the teachers' community, parents and regional authorities.

Summing up the discussion, Antonina Tsitsulina said: "Once again we see that CJF – Child and Junior Fashion is the very platform where large and small companies meet and discuss issues that concern everyone.

It was very good to hear concrete proposals and solutions during the Strategy Session today. The regional component was very active. This means that we need to work even more with the regions, and the exhibition makes it possible to do so”.

Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO