On Friday 18th September 2026, Hester Lies Vanacker will defend her PhD thesis, “Local Upcycling as a Catalyst for Reconfiguring the Global Fashion System: Conceptualization and Implementation.”
The research was supervised by Prof. Samir Lamouri (Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology), Prof. Andrée-Anne Lemieux (IFM x Kering Sustainability Chair) and Dr Kirsi Laitala (OsloMet).
Drawing on fieldwork in France, Indonesia, Ghana and the Republic of Congo, the thesis investigates the role of local upcycling practices in reshaping a global, wasteful industry — and what it takes to implement them.
The defence starts at 10:00 Paris Time and can be attended in person in the IFM amphitheater, or online. It is open to all; please confirm your attendance using this link (google.com).