We revisit a panel from the latest Transformation Conference in Copenhagen, where we spoke to three industry leaders shaping how fashion brands and retailers use data to improve planning, reduce waste, and boost profitability We speak with: Anna-Karin Holck, Country Retail Manager, Bestseller. Morten Kristiansen, CCO, Les Deux. Daniel Di Benedetto, Regional Director Euro North, Centric Software In this conversation, we talk about: Why localisation in retail is key to reducing overproduction and ...
Aug 15, 2025•35 min•Season 10Ep. 1
We speak with Kieran Long, director of Amos Rex in Helsinki. After leading the architecture and design museum ArkDes in Stockholm and the design department at the V&A museum in London, Kieran Long now heads one of the most progressive institutions in the Nordics. Amos Rex in Helsinki In this conversation, recorded during Fashion in Helsinki, we talk about: Why fashion is more than clothes, it’s culture How museums can become spaces for self-expression and public dialogue The impact of AI on ...
May 28, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 15
We speak with Lauren Crichton, Director of Marketing at Sana, about their recent AI Summit – one of the most important tech events in the Nordics. The event gathered leading thinkers on the global AI scene, and Lauren was at the center as the host and moderator. In this episode we discuss: Sana’s mission of empowering knowledge How organisations need to foster a safe environment for AI experimentation Why writing remains a vital skill despite the rise of generative AI How creatives can play a cr...
May 23, 2025•48 min•Season 9Ep. 14
In the second episode of our double release, we shift focus to the brand and technology side of the transparency conversation. What does it really take to implement data-driven sustainability? How can fashion and outdoor brands use traceability to not only comply with regulation—but to create new business models and consumer experiences? This panel explores best practices, hard-earned lessons, and the exciting potential of the Digital Product Passport. In this episode, we discuss: – How brands a...
May 19, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 13
This is the first of two episodes from our recent Transformation Talks in Stockholm. We dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of EU legislation and what it means for international fashion and textile businesses. We speak with: Hege Schøyen, Partner, Frøya Ventures Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs, GS1 Sweden Magnus Nikkarinen, Senior Policy Director, Swedish Commerce (Svensk Handel) In this episode, we discuss: – The status and implications of the EU Omnibus Package for fashion brands –...
May 19, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 12
We speak to renowned photographer and magazine editor Rankin about his latest project Faik Off, an exhibition and magazine that explores the ethical, creative, and existential implications of artificial intelligence in photography. We discussed: The making of Faik Off, a 420-page AI-powered magazine exploring art, ethics, and identity. Why Rankin describes working with AI as “dirty, exciting, and terrifying.” How AI is hallenging traditional Notions of Authorship, Taste, and Creativity The legal...
May 09, 2025•56 min•Season 9Ep. 11
We revisit yesterday’s Transformation Talks in Borås, where we discussed transparency and long-term supplier relationships are creating new business value for workwear and outdoor brands. On stage was • Fanny Ekholm , CSR Manager at Didriksons • Ann Carlsson , CSR & Environment Manager at Blåkläder • Sara M. Rakstang , Founder & CEO of Repass We discussed. Long-term supplier relationships enhance transparency in the supply chain. Circular economy practices need to be scalable and integra...
Apr 25, 2025•32 min•Season 9Ep. 10
We sit down with Marcus Hartmann, Regional Head of Sustainability & Public Affairs at H&M North Europe, to unpack the fashion giant’s most recent sustainability report — and the company’s evolving strategy for reducing its environmental footprint. In this conversation, we discuss the realities behind overproduction, the promise and limits of resale, and why transparency is both a communications challenge and a business imperative. Marcus also shares H&M’s perspective on upcoming EU l...
Apr 04, 2025•44 min•Season 9Ep. 9
We speak to Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs at GS1, about the recent developments in EU legislation affecting the textile industry, particularly following the introduction of the Omnibus Simplification Package in February 2025. What does this all mean? We speak to Staffan about: How the Omibus package affects key legislative frameworks CSRD and CSDDD How relaxations in reporting requirements may not diminish the overall sustainability ambition of the EU. Why data and traceability are esse...
Mar 21, 2025•31 min
We are speaking with Achim Berg, founder of FashionSIGHTS, about the role of AI and technology in the fashion system, fashion as a wealth generator, and his advice to Nordic premium brands. FashionSIGHTS is an independent corporate think tank that aims to redefine thought leadership and advisory by transforming data, experience, and expertise into actionable insights. Achim is already an established thought leader in the industry. He worked for 24 years at McKinsey & Company, where he was in...
Mar 14, 2025•53 min•Season 9Ep. 7
We record directly from the biggest retail events in the Nordics, D-Congress in Gothenburg, where we have hosted several panel talks and arranged our first exclusive round table discussion with leaders from retail, fashion and the tech industry. Hosts: Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND Linda Pimmeshofer, Founder, Change Retail — Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our new...
Mar 06, 2025•19 min•Season 9Ep. 6
We explore how AI is transforming marketing, why brand books need to be rewritten for an AI-driven world, and what businesses must do to stay relevant as automation reshapes content creation and design. In today’s episode, we dive into the latest developments in AI-driven marketing and what they mean for brands, designers, and content creators. What happens when marketing activities are no longer executed by humans, but by AI agents? How should brand books be rewritten to guide AI-driven campaig...
Feb 21, 2025•30 min
We are speaking with Erik Vikander, co-founder and CEO of Wilgot, an AI-guided marketing platform that is redefining how content is created and scaled in the era of AI search. In this episode we talk about: How AI is disrupting the traditional search model. Why brands need to adapt to new consumer search behaviors How investing in content can improve marketing effectiveness And why the role of creative direction will become more important than ever Host: Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief, Scandinav...
Feb 06, 2025•49 min•Season 9Ep. 4
We are speaking to Anna Felländer, founder of Anch AI, an ethical AI governance platform that helps companies comply with EU regulations and avoid risks when using AI in their businesses. In this conversation, we talk about: The risks and opportunities of implementing generative AI in the fashion industry. Why the societal implications of AI are becoming more critical. How regulation can provide clarity and guardrails for AI innovation. And how companies can prepare for AI in 2025 Host: Konrad O...
Jan 31, 2025•40 min•Season 9Ep. 3
Today, we are speaking with Linda Pimmeshofer, an experienced executive in the retail tech space and a collaborator of Scandinavian MIND: Linda shares her impressions from the retail bonanza that was NRF Big Show in New York a couple of weeks ago. In this episode, we talk about: Why popups are trending again, from Gymshark to Harry Styles brand Pleasing The importance of omni channel and community building How AI and digital twins can change the industry Plus, we share our memories from our own ...
Jan 24, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 2
We are speaking with Greg Merrill. Greg is an Advisor, Executive, Entrepreneur, Board Member, and the former Global Head of Digital Transformation at Nike. In this episode, we talk about His observations from The NRF Big Show that just took place in New York City How to make use of data as a fashion company His career as a serial entrepreneur The need for brands to get down to fundamentals Host: Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief, Scandinavian MIND — Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and brandin...
Jan 16, 2025•41 min
In this episode, we take cues from our latest insights piece on brand building. We dive deep into the need for a strategic storytelling platform in order to compete in a transformational world. We talk about: How technological and generational shifts have made the dominant marketing funnel redundant How to overcome the barrier of algorithms Why you should treat content formats as core brand resources Plus, we look at best practices from the fashion and tech industries Hosts: Konrad Olsson, Edito...
Dec 20, 2024•35 min•Season 8Ep. 18
We revisit a panel talk from the Transformation Conference in Stockholm, where we discussed our DPP for Fashion Retailers report, published in collaboration with the fashion tech startup Impulso. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) represents retail’s most significant structural and data change since the barcode. In this conversation, we explore how fashion brands and retailers can navigate this disruption, the challenges of data-sharing, and the future of real-time connectivity in retail. We spe...
Dec 13, 2024•20 min•Season 8Ep. 17
We revisit a panel talk from Transformation Conference in Stockholm back in August, where we talked to the minds behind Syre, the Swedish innovation startup that aims to create textile recycling on a global scale. Syre has captured the attention of the fashion and sustainability communities with its ambition to create recyclable polyester on a massive scale. Emma and Erik provide a behind-the-scenes look at how this innovation is set to transform the industry. We speak with Emma Stjernlöf, Chief...
Dec 06, 2024•16 min•Season 8Ep. 16
We revisit our latest Transformation Talks and share insights about the role of fashion design in an AI-driven world. We talk about: How technology can elevate the design process How copyrighted designs become even more valuable in the face of technology Lessons learned from the music industry and take a look at how a Swedish startup is developing “a sustainable Shein” We will hear from: Neil Lewty, Chief Creative Officer, J.Lindeberg Sofia Green, Director of Communications, Amuse Oscar Hafvenst...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr•Season 8Ep. 15
We speak to the Swedish journalist and lecturer on the rise of second-hand fashion, the promise of rental solutions, and the role of consumerism in sustainability. Anna Blom is an experienced fashion journalist and lecturer passionate about the latest in responsible fashion. She has written for newspapers and fashion magazines like Vogue India and Damernas Värld, has appeared on Swedish television, and lectured at Lund University, Soho House in New York, and MIT Media Lab in Boston. In this epis...
Nov 22, 2024•33 min•Season 8Ep. 14
We take you behind the scenes of H&M with two key figures shaping the fashion giant’s future: Jörgen Andersson, Creative Director, and Linn af Klint Kansmark, Head of Circular Business Models. In this exclusive interview, we explore Jörgen’s career at H&M, his learnings from working outside of the company, and why he decided to return to the brand two years go We also talk about The recent relaunch of the H&M brand and how they aim to stay relevant in today’s fashion landscape. The r...
Nov 15, 2024•51 min•Season 8Ep. 13
This is the fifth and final episode in our conversation series in collaboration with textile innovations company OnceMore. We are speaking with: Annette Tenstam, Strategy Lead Circularity & Environmental Sustainability, Lindex Tina Lemke, Marketing Manager, OnceMore. In this episode, we talk about: Key lessons Lindex has learned from implementing circular practices How a collaboration with OnceMore has shaped Lindex's approach to sourcing and material innovation The shift from a top-down to ...
Nov 08, 2024•27 min•Season 8Ep. 12
We dive into the new frontier of fashion in digital worlds and gaming. We are speaking with Hedvig Moberg and Patricia Aliaga DeVall, founders of digital agency Phany. In this episode, we talk about: How Roblox has inspired a new generation of fashion consumers Why brands should pay attention to this growing cyberculture How to navigate micro trends in gaming and social media And we go behind the scenes of Hedvig and Patricia’s recent fashion story for Scandinavian MIND, inspired by the Roblox g...
Oct 31, 2024•32 min•Season 8Ep. 11
We are revisiting a panel discussion from the Transformation Conference in Copenhagen earlier this year, discussing how the Nordic fashion system can work together. We will hear from: Marie Busck, Chief Sustainability Officer, Danish Fashion & Textile Heidi Svane, Head of Digital, Lifestyle & Design Cluster In this episode, we talk about: The new Danish action plan for textiles and its role in supporting industry transformation. The importance of system-wide collaboration to drive sustai...
Oct 25, 2024•25 min•Season 8Ep. 10
This is the fourth episode in our conversation series, which will be published throughout 2024 in collaboration with textile innovations company OnceMore. We are speaking with: Anna-Kaisa Huttunen, Director of Partnerships, and Finnish recycling company Rester Åsa Alvhage, Sourcing Manager, OnceMore In this episode, we talk about: The growing importance of textile sourcing ahead of the EU recycling mandate in 2025 How the business of textile sourcing works How the collaboration between Rester an...
Oct 17, 2024•29 min•Season 8Ep. 9
In today’s episode, we do a status check on the current use of AI tools in the fields we cover and look behind the scenes at how we operate at Scandinavian MIND. We talk about: How e-commerce players are boosting commerce with AI New AI tools for marketing and content creation How AI is disrupting UX/UI design Our toolkit for running scandinavianmind.com How should brands think going forward? Hosts: Editor-in-chef Konrad Olsson and creative director Erik Olofsson Haavikko. — Scandinavian MIND is...
Oct 11, 2024•35 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Today we are revisiting one of our panels from Transformation Conference in Copenhagen in August. We are hearing from: David Thunmarker, Senior Advisor, Impulso Daniel Di Benedetto, Regional Director Euro North, Centric Software In this episode, we talk about: The inherent problems with an analogue fashion industry How data can help with sustainability and profitability at the same time How brands should operate to get the best value out of their data What “data debt” is and how we can get out o...
Oct 03, 2024•30 min•Season 8Ep. 7
We are reporting from Helsinki Design Week, one of the biggest and most significant design events in the Nordics, which we visited a couple of weeks ago. You will hear from: Teemu Kiiski , CEO, Finnish Design Shop Janni Vepsäläinen, Creative Director, & Stephanie Stott, Global Marketing Director, Iittala Jukka Savolainen, Chairman, Finnish Design Info We talk about: The optimism around Finnish design explained Iittala’s next steps after the major brand revamp Why you should focus on your han...
Sep 27, 2024•37 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Today, we are speaking with Erik Ulin, a Swedish-born, New York-based executive working at the intersection of fashion and technology. Erik is currently running the consultancy 0600 LLC, where he offers management consulting services to players in the fashion-tech space, including SoldThrough, Threedium, and Maison de Sabré. In this episode, we talk about: How running J.Lindeberg in the US helped Erik understand the lack of data in the fashion industry Why we need standardisation when it comes t...
Sep 19, 2024•51 min•Season 8Ep. 5
