FASHION AS A VOICE FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD: Reflections from Shanghai

By Julia Higueras, founder “Anoche tuve un sueño”.

When I imagined that my journalistic work would take me to World Fashion Exhibition Shanghai 2024 , I admit, I didn’t expect it.

However, being here to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at this prestigious event has allowed me to reflect on the surprising paths through which our actions can have an impact.

This recognition is not only a tribute to my career, but a reminder that, even in spaces as seemingly distant as the fashion world, we can bring visibility to the causes that truly matter: human rights, sustainability, and the future of our planet.

In recent years, fashion has transcended its purely aesthetic role to become an influential forum that reflects major social and environmental challenges. Seeing a platform like World Fashion Exhibition Shanghai 2024 honor not only designers but also voices committed to sustainable development signals that change is underway.

As a journalist, I have always sought to give voice to the stories that others would prefer to ignore.

From my reporting in Africa on the Millennium Development Goals and SDGs to founding the Committed
Optimists Awards, my mission has been clear: to bring visibility to those fighting for a fairer, more livable world.

The award I received in Shanghai reinforces the idea that journalism has a fundamental role in constructing this new global narrative.

I am deeply honored that this recognition comes from a city which, through its vibrant fashion industry, demonstrates that luxury and sustainability are not opposing terms.

On the contrary, they can coexist and mutually empower each other. Witnessing the growing awareness among designers about the environmental and social impact of their creations is inspiring, and I am convinced that fashion can and must be a driver of change.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of World Fashion Week and to everyone who has placed their trust in my work over the years.

From Anoche tuve un sueño, we will continue to promote initiatives that, like this event, remind us that we cannot remain passive spectators in the face of global challenges.

Today, more than ever, we must unite to promote sustainable and just development, where fashion, media, and each of us contribute to the change the world needs.

This award is not mine alone; it belongs to all those who believe in a future where success and responsibility go hand in hand. Because, in the end, we are all responsible for the dreams we build.