Industry Leaders
Han Bekke – Grand Seigneur of Apparel Sector
Our dialogue partner is an excellent listener, always open-minded in the true sense of the word: reflection included. “Anyone who has met Han Bekke, worked with him, in the more than 50 years in which he has served the global apparel sector with his full commitment, his extensive knowledge, and his worldwide network, appreciates him for his always positive, always friendly attitude, characterized by respect for his counterparts,” Dave Gardner, wants to add.
Dave, the publisher, and editor-in-chief of this publication – Needle’s Eye – knows what he's talking about: himself in his various roles as Managing Director of the SPESA association (Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas) being one of Han’s decade-long companions and a member of the IAF Board of Directors.
Bekke, the Dutchman, entered the fashion industry in 1971. His specialization in textile and clothing marketing, trade policy, public affairs, and association management at first conveys his way in the Dutch clothing and knitting industry: He worked for the Dutch Economic Association for the Apparel Industry and then moved on to FENECON – which is MODINT today.
From 1986 – 2002 Bekke worked as Secretary-General for Economic Affairs at FENECON. He also retains several chairman positions within the fashion and textile industry. He served as vice-chairman of the European Clothing Association (ECLA) from 1986 – 1993, as employer chairman of the Apparel Monitoring Body on central wage agreements from 1997 – 2002, as well as the Social Foundation of the Apparel Industry.
Bekke operated as Board Member of the Education and Development Foundation of the Apparel Industry for ten years, while he was also a member of the Bargaining Commission of the Apparel Industry. He worked as Secretary-General / Treasurer of the Dutch Fashion Institute from 1982 – 1992, and from 1980 to 1986 he was also Secretary-General / Treasurer of the Dutch Fur Institute. Furthermore, Bekke was a member of the National Exam Commission MDGO Education from 1980 – 1990 and became a member of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute Advisory Board in 1992. Since 1999 he has been the chairman of the jury for the Dutch fashion prize where he eventually took over the task as director-general of MODINT, the Dutch trade association for fashion, interior, and textiles with its 850 members now. Bottom line, Bekke worked for more than 40 years for several trade associations in the Netherlands. Since 2013 he follows the call as chairman of the board of MODINT.
Han Bekke’s work in parallel in the global fashion arena took off in 1997 when he became a board member of the International Apparel Federation (IAF) from 1997 – 2002 and became its Secretary-General in 2006. In September 2016, then he was appointed to the office of president of the International Apparel Federation (IAF).
Han is also a team spirit in sporting terms: Here, his passion is the game of hockey. And here, too, he has been personally involved, for example at the organization committee of the Dutch National Indoor Hockey Championships. The chronicler is also aware of his foible for golf. However, his current handicap will not be revealed here.
Han Bekke was knighted by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands in the Order of Orange Nassau. In 2013 he received special recognition linked to the highest fashion award in The Netherlands, “The Grand Seigneur”. The topics addressed here directly to IAF acting President Han Bekke as well as numerous other cutting-edge topics and trends will be featured at the upcoming IAF World Fashion Convention, under the theme “Transition of the Global Fashion System.” The top event will be held in direct conjunction with the annual event of the European Textile and Apparel Association (Euratex) in Antwerp, Belgium, from November 7-9, 2021. ttps://conventionantwerp.com/ During that 36th IAF Convention Han Bekke will hand over the IAF presidency to Cem Altan, founder of Aycem Textiles and he is a member of the Board of Directors of both the Istanbul Apparel Exporters Association (IHKIB) and of the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association (TCMA). Han Bekke will remain on the IAF Executive Committee as immediate past president. About IAF IAF, headquartered at Zeist near Amsterdam is the world’s leading federation for national clothing and textile associations from more than 40 countries, representing over 150,000 companies and over 5 million employees. –NE–
Han Bekke was knighted by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands in the Order of Orange Nassau. In 2013 he received special recognition linked to the highest fashion award in The Netherlands, “The Grand Seigneur”. The topics addressed here directly to IAF acting President Han Bekke as well as numerous other cutting-edge topics and trends will be featured at the upcoming IAF World Fashion Convention, under the theme “Transition of the Global Fashion System.” The top event will be held in direct conjunction with the annual event of the European Textile and Apparel Association (Euratex) in Antwerp, Belgium, from November 7-9, 2021. ttps://conventionantwerp.com/ During that 36th IAF Convention Han Bekke will hand over the IAF presidency to Cem Altan, founder of Aycem Textiles and he is a member of the Board of Directors of both the Istanbul Apparel Exporters Association (IHKIB) and of the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association (TCMA). Han Bekke will remain on the IAF Executive Committee as immediate past president. About IAF IAF, headquartered at Zeist near Amsterdam is the world’s leading federation for national clothing and textile associations from more than 40 countries, representing over 150,000 companies and over 5 million employees. –NE–