The 50th International Symposium on Novelties in Textiles, held under the title Crossing Boundaries

The 50th International Symposium on Novelties in Textiles, held under the title
Crossing Boundaries, took place from 29 to 30 May 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Organised as a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation by the Faculty of Natural
Sciences and Engineering, jointly by the Department of Textile and Clothing Engineering
and the Department of Graphic Arts, the symposium brought together researchers,
industry professionals, and educators with an aim to explore emerging trends,
sustainable practices, and technological advancements in the field of textiles and
graphic arts.
Even though the keynote lectures were held jointly for all Symposium participants, after
the morning sessions, the participants split into two groups: one focused on Textiles and
the other on Graphics.
SUMMARY OF DAY 1 – SUSTAINABILITY, INNOVATION, AND MATERIAL RESEARCH
The first day of the 50th International Symposium on Novelties in Textiles – Crossing
Boundaries opened with two keynote lectures that set a silver lining for the event’s
thematic focus on sustainability, without disregard to the social context.
Dr. Iva Jestratijevic (University of North Texas, USA) presented a case study on
implementing a zero-waste textile model through hands-on pedagogy and action
research on the textile sustainability topics. Her lecture emphasised education as a
fundamental driver and a stepping stone for systemic change within the textile industry.
By implementing knowledge not only theoretically, but also practically, students and
pupils can develop a deeper understanding of the depth of textile sustainability.
Following this, dr. Dan Podjed (ZRC SAZU, University of Ljubljana) delivered a thought
provoking lecture titled Living in a Container, reflecting on human behaviour and lifestyle
through the metaphor of confined spaces, broadening the symposium’s scope beyond
materials into cultural and societal dimensions. By offering real-life examples of
containers placed as emergency solution in the devastated area of Petrinja, Croatia, he
provoked the audience to think about the meaning, worth of containers in the social
context, provoking an afterthought that individuals in today’s society also often find
themselves in their own “mind and perspective” container, and to connect, we have to
stay open, accepting and move those “container” boundaries.
During the session, which followed the morning keynote lectures, we had an insight into
cutting-edge material innovations, including developments in the new European silk
project, potential applications for a novel, bio-based material – bacterial cellulose, and a
look into experimental approaches to vegan leather using apple waste. Research on
functionalizing polypropylene nonwoven materials with nanotechnology underlined the
integration of advanced chemistry in textile development. This session was chaired and
moderated by dr. Torsten Textor and dr. Brigita Tomšič
The afternoon sessions, chaired by dr. Maja Radetić and dr. Petra Forte Tavčer continued
the textile materials theme and leaned more into the textile chemistry, showcasing
multifunctional TiO₂-based coatings and improvements in cotton hydrophilicity and
dyeing techniques. A notable highlight included the examination of how fabric surface
properties affect electrical resistance, linking physical textile traits with functional
performance.
Later sessions, led by dr. Matejka Bizjak and dr. Živa Zupin shifted focus toward
digitalisation and education in textile and garment production. Topics included
presentation of a computerised weave design with additional features, using the
Slovenian weaving program Arahne, and a showcase of a pilot project developing a
database for textile production processes. This was followed a presentation of a project
focused on the service learning in sustainable textile education. The day concluded with
a project presentation on addressing skill gaps in Europe’s textile, clothing, leather and
footwear sectors, returning the conversation to education and workforce development.
SUMMARY OF DAY 2 – INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, ETHICAL INNOVATION, AND FASHION FUTURES
Day 2 opened with a keynote from a leader in advanced aerospace technologies, a
Slovenian company Pipistrel. Presentation held by Ingrid Heuffel Berginc, Innovating the
Skies, explored how textiles, advanced materials, and 3D techniques contribute to next
generation aviation solutions. This keynote showcased how the disciplines of high
performance engineering and textile innovation are bridged in everyday life.
The program then transitioned to industry-focused talks, beginning with Petra Kovačič
from BETI, who detailed the company’s evolution from a traditional labour-intensive
operation to an innovation-driven textile company, highlighting current efforts to
transition towards more sustainable operations and products with a high innovation
impact. This was followed by a presentation on the creative and ethical material
explorations of fashion designer Tina Gorjanc, illustrating the intersection of biomaterials,
sustainability and ethics in a social context.
The final session, chaired by Petja Zorec, explored contemporary themes in fashion
practice and education. Presentations addressed sustainability in the Slovenian fashion
landscape and how Slovenia has an opportunity to start being a Fashion Hub, we also
observed how consumer behaviour changes (covid19) affects fashion trends like “city to
beach” styling, and the role of collaboration in digital fashion learning environments.
CONCLUSION
Over two days, the symposium successfully “crossed boundaries” between disciplines,
industries, and educational paradigms. From theoretical and pedagogical frameworks to
practical material applications and industry case studies, and a deep dive into the
chemical aspect of textiles, the event highlighted the multifaceted nature of textile
innovation and its critical role in shaping a more sustainable and connected future.