Innovation Unseen supported by the Sustainability Lounge & Polartec

Alexa Dehmel is an international Designer & Strategist for Sportswear, Functional Textiles & Future Concepts for the Textile Industry — trusted by 60+ global brands. She is known for her agile mindset, visionary thinking, and deep expertise in translating concepts for all global markets.

With over 20 years of experience across the fashion, performance and outdoor apparel industry, Alexa leads a purpose-driven design consultancy that empowers brands to innovate responsibly and perform exceptionally. Her work bridges the gap between future-relevant product design, material intelligence, and strategic transformation.

As Head Judge and Functional Fabric Curator, she has shaped the TREND FORUM and all other Forum Areas at PERFORMANCE DAYS Munich, FUNCTIONAL FABRIC FAIR powered by Performance Days in Portland & New York, and FUNCTIONAL TEXTILES by Performance Days in Shanghai for more than 16 years. Through her podcast “Designing the Future: Textiles & Transformation Talks – Alexa inquires”, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS, Alexa opens the dialogue with global thought leaders, uncovering breakthroughs that move the textile industry toward a regenerative and prosperous future.

From concept to global impact — Alexa Dehmel stands for Future Responsible Design & Consulting, driven by style, excellence, substance, and visionary purpose.

Ramesh Kesh is Senior Vice President and Business Manager for Government and Defense Business and Polartec Business Units. With over 70 issued patents in U.S. and in other countries, during his tenure at Milliken, Ramesh has and continues to direct and lead development organizations in multiple business units. Ramesh joined Milliken in 1996 as a Senior Development Engineer in the Airbag Business where he supported business growth through major innovations in airbag designs and multiple coating technologies that has been licensed and currently used in three continents.  His inventions are being utilized in over 200 million vehicles globally. He received his M.S. in Chemical Engineering with specialization in Material Science and Artificial Intelligence, and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science.