Catalyst Club is an initiative created for the fashion and denim industry, designed as a “real-life social network” that encourages personal interaction beyond traditional business meetings. The concept aims to connect professionals from across the textile supply chain, including manufacturers, brands, buyers and emerging talents, providing an informal setting for discussions and potential partnerships.

Following its debut in Florence last June at Soko’s headquarters, the club held its second event in Amsterdam during the Kingpins Show, an international meeting point for the denim industry. Each edition takes place in an unconventional location, with the Amsterdam gathering hosted at the historic Molen Van West. Featuring a windmill dating back to 1631, the venue represents part of Amsterdam-West’s industrial heritage and provided a distinctive setting for the evening.

Bringing the industry together

The event attracted participants from different segments of the international fashion and denim industry. Matteo Urbini, CEO of Soko, which sponsored the event, and Vivian Wang, CEO of Kingpins Show, the event partner, welcomed the guests and emphasised the importance of personal connections and open dialogue outside conventional business environments.

Matteo Urbini, CEO of Soko, explained the idea behind the initiative: “We wanted to create an event capable of sparking sincere dialogue. The intention is to offer a space where people can connect naturally and realize that every single conversation can become the catalyst for real change across the entire industry.”

Industry leaders share advice for the next generation

One of the central elements of the evening was a roundtable discussion focusing on the next generation of fashion and textile professionals. Participants from different stages of the supply chain, including manufacturing and brands, addressed the question: “If you were a catalyst for a young mind entering our industry today, what would be your top DO’S and DON'TS for them?”

The discussion provided an opportunity for experienced industry representatives to share practical advice, personal experiences and perspectives on career development, collaboration and the future of the sector.

With its emphasis on personal interaction and cross-industry dialogue, Catalyst Club aims to encourage new connections and facilitate the exchange of ideas that could contribute to the future development of the fashion and denim industry.