Munich’s Bergson Kunstkraftwerk became the epicenter of digital fashion innovation this year, as CLO Virtual Fashion hosted its largest European User Summit to date, uniting over 300 professionals from across the continent’s burgeoning 3D garment community.
A Landmark Gathering: 300+ Experts, 100+ Brands, One Vision
In a landmark move, CLO Virtual Fashion—recognized globally as a leader in 3D garment visualization—opened its annual User Summit not only to enterprise clients but, for the first time, to freelancers and university professors. This strategic expansion transformed the event into a dynamic networking arena and talent incubator, reflecting the evolving landscape of fashion tech in Europe.
The guest list read like a who’s who of fashion and design, drawing industry luminaries from over 100 brands. Attendees included decision-makers and innovators from:
- H&M
- Marks & Spencer
- adidas
- HUGO BOSS
- BERSHKA
- ZARA
- IKEA of Sweden
- Lacoste
- Armedangels
- ...and dozens more household names
Crucially, the summit also welcomed educators from renowned institutions such as the London College of Fashion, Amsterdam Fashion Institute, and Boras University, alongside the region’s top freelance 3D designers and creators. This fusion of enterprise, education, and independent talent signaled a new era for collaborative innovation in fashion’s digital transformation.
The Setting: Bergson Kunstkraftwerk—Munich’s New Cultural Nexus
Setting the stage for this transformative event, the Bergson Kunstkraftwerk—a newly minted cultural hotspot in Munich—provided an inspiring backdrop. The venue’s industrial-chic ambiance resonated with the summit’s themes of creative disruption and technological advancement, as attendees navigated cutting-edge exhibitions and immersive presentations amid its art-filled halls.
Voices of Change: CLO Leadership and Industry Powerhouses
The summit’s intellectual heart was powered by a roster of influential speakers and thought leaders, including:
- Simon JH Kim, CEO of CLO Virtual Fashion
- Jaden Oh, CLO Founder—making his first European appearance in five years
- Yazan Malkosh, founder of swatchbook (recently acquired by CLO)
- Brand representatives from H&M, Marks & Spencer, adidas, GMS, and Interloop
Jaden Oh’s return to Europe underscored the region’s pivotal role in shaping CLO’s future roadmap. His keynote highlighted how feedback from Europe’s sophisticated user base directly informs the company’s development, driving advances in seamless design-to-production workflows and user-centric digitalization.
“Meeting our users in person was truly joyful,” Oh reflected. “Their feedback reaffirmed our commitment to enhancing creative workflows and making the design-to-production process more intuitive. We will continue striving to make their digitalization journey even more enjoyable.”
Europe: A Mature 3D Fashion Market
This year’s summit agenda was rooted in the recognition of Europe as a mature and rapidly evolving market for 3D garment technology. Discussions and demonstrations centered on best practices, scalable workflow solutions, and the critical need for flexibility across organizations of every size—from global conglomerates to boutique studios.
Central to this push was the Ecosystem Partnership Program (EPP), with partners like EnhanceThat helping facilitate seamless integration and collaborative growth. The expanded exhibition area showcased CLO’s latest innovations, including:
- The automation and integration booth
- The new CLO zFab Kit—designed to supercharge scalable 3D workflows
- Solutions from partners such as HUMANETICS, DMIx, Epic Games, and Adobe Substance 3D
This ecosystem approach is more than a technical upgrade—it’s a philosophical shift towards holistic digital empowerment, making every stage of garment design and production more efficient, adaptable, and creative.
The Rising Talent Award: Bridging Academia and Industry
In a move poised to reshape the future talent pipeline, CLO introduced the Rising Talent Award, forging a direct link between academic excellence and industry opportunity. Students from 39 European schools submitted their work, resulting in 78 nominations—a testament to the region’s vibrant pool of young digital designers.
All 10 finalists received a one-year CLO subscription, opening doors for skill development and professional exposure. Their work was entered into CLO’s New Talents database, connecting them with potential employers and collaborators across the sector. Two winners, recognized for best conceptual design and best technical design, received monetary prizes, underscoring CLO’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of 3D fashion visionaries.
Empowering the Community: Insights from CLO’s Leadership
Simon JH Kim, CLO’s CEO, captured the spirit of the event: “Users are the cornerstone of our growth. Celebrating this community remains a priority for us, as they guide our direction in the forthcoming years. This Summit is invaluable for users, as they navigate challenges within their companies and seek essential insights from peers.”
Kim’s remarks reflected a clear mission—making the summit a space where user voices take center stage, catalyzing collaboration and innovation. By inviting academic and individual users, CLO expanded the event’s reach, creating powerful new synergies and ensuring that the digital transformation of fashion is both inclusive and forward-looking.
CLO Virtual Fashion: The Engine of Digital Garment Design
At the technological heart of the summit was CLO itself—a platform trusted by designers, small businesses, and major fashion houses to craft hyper-realistic virtual garments. With over two decades of research and development, CLO’s solutions empower users at every stage of the creative process, from concept and design to manufacturing, marketing, fitting, and styling.
The software’s versatility is unmatched: CLO enables the creation of virtual clothing for applications as diverse as gaming, the metaverse, and real-world retail. Its commitment to seamless digital workflows is reshaping what’s possible for brands and creators alike, blurring the boundaries between imagination and reality.
Why This Summit Matters: The Future of Fashion Is Digital—and Collaborative
The CLO Summit Munich 2025 was more than an industry gathering—it was a statement of intent. By bringing together legacy brands, agile startups, educators, and rising stars, CLO Virtual Fashion crystallized a vision for fashion’s digital future: one that is collaborative, scalable, and deeply attuned to the creative needs of its users.
As Europe cements its status as a hub for 3D garment innovation, the summit’s legacy will be felt in classrooms, boardrooms, and studios across the continent. The conversations sparked in Munich are likely to ripple outward, shaping everything from design education to supply chain efficiency, and propelling fashion into a new era of digital excellence.
Looking Ahead: The Synergy of Technology and Creativity
If the energy and ambition on display in Munich are any indication, the coming years promise a renaissance in digital garment design—one powered by community, talent, and cutting-edge technology. CLO’s commitment to empowering users and fostering open collaboration is setting the standard for what fashion’s digital future can achieve.
As the lines between physical and virtual fashion continue to blur, CLO Virtual Fashion’s ecosystem stands poised to redefine the industry’s possibilities. The summit’s success is not just a milestone—it’s a harbinger of the transformation to come.
