Transition of Competences in the Digital Fashion Industry: Organisations and Facilitation Tools

This chapter examines the evolution of competences in the fashion industry in relation to digitalisation processes and the necessary support for knowledge and skills development. After a literature review of the transformation of competences in the fashion industry, the work investigates the level of digitalisation present in Italian fashion companies and the main types of support currently available in Italy, such as financial support, training, and public and private consultancy, that facilitate digitalisation. The study focuses on the territory of Prato, a historic industrial district of textile and clothing production, to understand the state of the art of the digitalisation of Prato’s fashion companies and their likelihood of developing the necessary skills in light of the public and private supports available. This work aims to verify the existence, adequacy, and shortcomings of tools that facilitate digitalisation and offer practical reflections on their use.