Dynamic Leaders Revolutionizing Fashion with Strategic Vision and Sustainable Practices October2025

Editorial

The Strategic Thinkers Shaping the Future of Fashion

Theglobalfashionindustry,longdefinedbycreativityandrapid

evolution,isnowbeingreshapedbyanewwaveofdynamic leaders—visionarieswhoaremergingstylewithsustainability, profitwithpurpose,andaestheticswithaccountability.These trailblazersareredefiningwhatitmeanstoleadinfashion,steeringthe industrytowardafuturethatisnotonlyinnovativebutalsodeeply responsible.

Attheheartofthistransformationliesastrategicshift—onethat placessustainability,digitalintegration,andconsciousconsumerismat thecoreofbusinessmodels.Fromreimaginingsupplychainsto investingincircularfashionandeco-materials,theseleadersare rewritingtherulesofproductionandconsumption.Theyrecognizethat themodernfashionconsumervaluestransparencyasmuchasdesign anddemandsbrandsthatalignwithethicalandenvironmentalvalues.

Undertheirguidance,technologyhasemergedasfashion'sstrongest ally.Artificialintelligence,data-drivenpersonalization,and blockchain-backedtransparencyarehelpingbrandsminimizewaste, optimizeinventory,andtraceeveryfiber'sjourney—fromrawmaterial toretailshelf.Byintegratinginnovationwithpurpose,theseleaders aremakingsustainabilityscalableandstylemoreinclusive.

Moreover,diversityandempowermenthavebecomecentraltotheir vision.Theseforward-thinkingexecutiveschampionrepresentation acrossgender,ethnicity,andbodytypes,usingfashionasaplatform forculturaldialogueandsocialchange.Theirleadershipismarkednot byfleetingtrendsbutbyenduringprinciples—collaboration, responsibility,andresilience.

-AlayaBrown

Inthepost-pandemicera,theyhaveredefinedresilienceas adaptability.Whetherembracingdigitalfashionweeks,launching virtualcollectionsinthemetaverse,orcreatingcarbon-neutral productionlines,thesepioneersarecraftingafuturewherecreativity thriveswithoutcompromise.Theirstrategicforesightensuresthat fashioncontinuestoinspirewhilecontributingpositivelytotheplanet.

Whatsetsthesedynamicleadersapartistheirabilitytobalanceartistry withanalytics,sustainabilitywithscalability,andpurposewith performance.Theyviewfashionnotmerelyasabusinessbutasa catalystforglobaltransformation—onecapableofshapingculture, influencingeconomies,andnurturingasustainabletomorrow.

Inanerawhenfashionfacesthedualchallengeofinnovationand integrity,theseleadersstandasarchitectsofchange—provingthattrue styleisnotonlyaboutwhatwewear,butaboutthevalueswechoose toembody.

T   h ve e i F s r u l o c n x t E P a g e

Empowered to Empower

How Modern Leaders Inspire the Next Generation

Mindful Leadership

How Awareness Shapes

Better Decision-Making

Editor-in-Chief

Managing

Art

Business

Business

Digital

Co-designer

Marketing

Technical

Designing Beyond Trends: The Strategic Brilliance of

Ahmed Peshimam

Parvez Ahmed Peshimam

Fashion Consultant

Parvez Ahmed Fashion Consultancy

Asfastfashionwentglobalandtookovertheworld, itleftacarbontrailofenvironmentalstress, unevenquality,andfragmentedsupplychains. Nowtheindustryisatacrossroad,anditrequiresleaders whonotonlyunderstandtheartofproductdevelopmentbut canreengineersystemstobesmarter,cleaner,andfutureready.Beingcreativeisnotsufficient;understandinghowto transformsuchcreativityintoscalable,sustainable,and profitablerealitiesmakesadifference.Themostprominent exampleofsuchaleaderisParvezAhmedPeshimam,a Fashionveteranofreputewithacareerspanningthree decadesintheindustry

ParvezAhmedPeshimamisnotjustanameintherealmof fashion,heisaforceshapingitsveryfabric.Acelebrated author,consultant,andartenthusiast,Parvezhascarvedhis placeasoneofthemostrespectedvoicesintheindustry acrossGCCandIndia.Withdecadesofexperiencebridging creativityandcommerce,heisknownforblendingtimeless elegancewithmoderninnovation,ensuringbrandshonor theirheritagewhileembracingthedemandsofaneverchangingmarket.

Astheauthorofacclaimedworkslike Behind The Fashionable Drapes and Between the Seams,Parvezhas takenreadersbeyondtheglitteroftherunwaytorevealthe untoldstoriesofdesigners,artisans,andvisionarieswhose dedicationbreatheslifeintofashion.Hissharpinsightsand narrativedepthhavemadehimatrustedthoughtleader,one whochampionsauthenticity,sustainability,andcultural storytellingatatimewhentheindustryneedsitmost.

ButParvezismorethanacommentator;heisacuratorof experiences.Whetheradvisingglobalbrands,mentoring youngdesigners,orcelebratingtheintersectionoffashion andart,hebringsarareclaritythatresonateswithboth professionalsandenthusiasts.Inthisexclusive conversation,Parvezreflectsonhisjourneyinthefashion industry,offeringinsightintothemindset,systemsthinking, andvaluesthatcontinuetodrivehisvisionforacleaner, smarter,andmoreconnectedfuture.

Let’stakeacloserlookathisjourneyintheindustry…

Asafashionconsultant,howdoyoubalancetimeless elegancewiththeever-changingdemandsofmodern trends?

Fashionislikebreathing,andeveryonehastheirown uniquewaytoexpressit.Thereisarhythmthatendures,a steadycadenceoftimelesselegance,whiletrendscomeand

“My role is to ensure a brand doesn’t lose its balance while chasing every new beat.”

golikefleetingnotesofimprovisation.Myroleistoensure thatabrandmaintainsitsbalance,navigatingtheeverevolvinglandscapewithoutlosingitscoreidentity Trends havetheirplace,butitisenduringelegancethatsustains relevancelongafterthenoisefades.Afterall,thelittle blackdressandawell-craftedtuxedoremainiconicnot becausetheyfollowtrends,butbecausetheytranscend them.

Havingobservedfashionindiversespaces,howdoyou seeMiddleEasternfashionevolvingincomparisonto globalmarkets?

MiddleEasternfashionisexperiencingaremarkable evolution,strikingadelicatebalancebetweendeep-rooted heritageandboldmodernity.Fromabayaswithfuturistic silhouettestokaftansshowcasingcouture-level craftsmanship,designersacrosstheregionareredefining traditionthroughinnovation.Unlikemanyglobalmarkets, theMiddleEastissettingnewbenchmarksinluxury, storytelling,andartisanalexcellence,supportedby sophisticatedmarketingstrategiesthatresonateonaglobal scale.Andwhenitcomestorunwaypresentations,few regionscanmatchthegrandeurandculturalrichnessthat theMiddleEastbringstothestage.

You’vebeendeeplyconnectedwithbothfashionandart, howdoculturalheritageandartistryinfluenceyour visioninfashionconsulting?

Culturalheritageisthesoul,artistryisthebrush,and fashionisthecanvas.Whenadvisingbrands,Iemphasize thatwhiletrendsmaydrivesales,heritageiswhatbuilds

“Whenever I advise brands, I remind them that trends may sell, but heritage creates identy.”

lastingidentity.Ajacketcanbereplicated,butthestory behindamotif,aweave,oratraditionalcraftisuniqueand irreplaceable.Brandsthatembracethisperspectiveshift fromchasingfleetingtrendstocreatingenduringvalue.And honestly,itallowsmetomovebeyondsoundinglikean analyticalspreadsheet.Iprefertobeacuratorofstories.

Asawriter,howdoyouweavenarrativesthatnotonly talkaboutfashionbutalsohighlightthepeopleand storiesbehindit?

Ioftensaythatfashioniscraftedbyhandbutsustained throughstories.Inmywriting,Iaimtomovebeyondthe garmentsthemselvesandhighlightthedesigners,artisans, tailors,patternmakers,andskilledprofessionalswhobring thesecreationstolife.Theyaretheintegralyet unrecognizedcontributorsbehindeverycollection.My narrativeapproachisclear:ifthereadercanconnectwith thestorybehindthefabric,thenIhavefulfilledmypurpose. ThatsenseofmeaningfulengagementisoneIvaluehighly

Yourbook, Between the Seams,shinesalightonthe unsungheroesofthefashionworld.Whatinspiredyou tospotlightthehiddenstrugglesandtriumphsbehind theglamour?

Afteryearsspentinboardroomsandworkshops,Icameto understandthattheredcarpetisonlythesurface.Beneathit liesavastworldofhumanstories:latenights,failed prototypes,andthequietprideofthosewhoperfectevery stitch.Mygoalistoshedlightonthetirelesseffortsand challengesfacedbythemanyskilledartisansbehindthe scenes.

Whileglamourcaptivates,itisessentialtorememberthe countlesshandsthatworktobringelegancetothegowns celebratedontherunway.BetweentheSeamsismytribute tothesededicatedcraftsmenandwomenwhosegritand commitmentmakethemagicpossible.

Asanartenthusiast,howdoyouseefashionandart intersectingtoday?Doyouconsiderfashionaformof living,wearableart?

Fashionisunquestionablyoneofthemostglamorousart forms,itisnotconfinedtoawallorframe…itmoveswith us,livesalongsideus,andbecomesapartofourvery identity.Itrepresentstheintersectionofbeautyand purpose,turningcreativityintosomethingbothwearable andalive.

Therelationshipbetweenfashionandarthasneverbeen clearer.Museumsnowdisplayfashionalongsideclassical andcontemporarymasterpieces,recognizingitsculturaland historicalimportance.Atthesametime,designers,painters, andsculptorscollaborateonprojectsthatblurthe boundariesbetweenartandfashion.

Throughfabric,form,andimagination,fashionoffers societyapowerfulmeansofself-expression.

Fromyourperspective,howimportantissustainability infashiontoday?Anddoyouthinktheindustryis genuinelyembracingit,orjusttreatingitasatrend?

Sustainabilityisnolongeroptional;itisessentialtothe futureoffashion.Whilemanybrandsaremaking meaningfulprogresstowardresponsiblepractices,others continuetotreatsustainabilityaslittlemorethana decorativeaccessorythatiseffectiveforpublicitybut neglectedbehindthescenes.

Theencouragingdevelopmentisthattoday’sconsumersare increasinglyinformed.Withheightenedawarenessof environmentalimpactandwastereduction,theycanreadily discernbetweenauthenticcommitmentandsuperficial gestures.Simplyprintingagreenleafonpackagingdoes notequatetogenuinesustainability

Withdigitalinnovation,AI,andnewconsumer mindsets,howdoyouseetheroleofafashionconsultant evolvinginthenextdecade?

Myearlierbook, ,guides Behind The Fashionable Drapes readersthroughthetechnicalintricaciesofproduct

development,industrybestpractices,andmanagement theoriesthatIregularlysharewiththebrandsIworkwith.

Theroleoftheconsultantisevolvingfrombeing“the expertwithamoodboard”tobecoming“thestrategistwho candecodebothalgorithmsandaesthetics.”Today’s consultantsmustnavigatedata-driveninsights,AI-powered design,andaconsumerbasethatvaluespurposeasmuchas style.

However,oneconstantremains:theuniquelyhumanability tounderstandemotion,identity,andculture.NoAIcanyet replicatethesparkinadesigner’seyewhentheydiscover theperfectfabricorstylethatignitestheirimagination.

Howwouldyoudescribeyourownpersonalstyle,and whichexperiencesorpeoplehaveinfluenceditthemost?

Tome,styleisaboutcomfortcombinedwithastory.If peoplerememberyouafteryouleavetheroom,youhave madeameaningfulimpression.

Istrivetolearnfromeveryconversationandinteraction withdiversepersonalities.Everyoneofferssomething valuablethatcanenrichyourlifeifyouapproachitwith optimism.

“My narrave approach is simple, if the reader can feel the heartbeat behind the fabric, then I’ve done my job. That’s a feeling of sasfacon I cherish deeply.”

Mygreatestinfluencehasbeenmyfamilywhoaredeeply rootedintheworldsofart,design,andfashion.Mywifeis awell-knownbridalfashiondesignerwithinthe community,myelderdaughterisaninteriordesigner cateringtoanicheclientele,andmyyoungerdaughterisan accomplishedartistwhoholdstwoworldrecordsforher paintingsalongwithnumerousotherawardsearnedbyboth daughters.

Whatadvicewouldyougivetoyoungdesigners,writers, andcreativeswhowanttoenterthefashionindustrynot justasartistsbutasthoughtleaders?

First,masterthecraft,whetherit’sstitching,sketching,or storytelling.Then,learnthebusinesssidebecausepassion withoutstructureleadstochaos.Don’thesitatetoform strongopinionsandchallengethestatusquo.Fashion thrivesonfreshperspectives.

Remember,thoughtleadershipisnotaboutbeingloud;it’s aboutbeingclear,consistent,andcompassionate.And developasenseofhumor,plusbuildstrongconnections. You’llneedbothwhenyour“perfectcollection”isheldup incustomsforsixweeks.

Finally,alwaysbecourteousandconsideratetowardyour teamandcolleagues.Weareallfacingourownchallenges, andasimplesmilecantrulybrightensomeone’sday.

How MODERN LEADERS Inspire the Next Generation

21st-centuryleadershipisnotcontrol,notpower,not hierarchy—itisempowering.Thebestleaderstoday arethosewhousepowertoempower,andnot command;usepowertoenableotherstogrow,andnot dominate.Theyunderstandthatleadershipisallabout empoweringotherstobealltheycanbe,livetheirpurpose, andcreatearippleeffectofgoodness.Inthiseraof transformation,leaderstodayareredefiningsuccess—not forallthattheypersonallyachieve,butforhowmanymore theygetenabledintheprocess.

TheShiftfromPowertoEmpowerment

Earlierleadershipmodelswerecontrol-based,top-down, andefficiency-focused.Whilesuchanapproachpreviously succeededintheindustrialera,itfallsshortoftoday'seraof accelerationandinterconnectedness.Leadershipinthisage requiresempathy,flexibility,andcooperation—valuesthat thriveinempowermentandnotdominanceculture.

Empowermentisnotrelinquishingcontrol;empowermentis trustingotherstouseit.Empowermentisgivingothersthe tools,confidence,andauthoritytheymusthaveinorderto getthingsdoneandmakedecisions.Empoweringleaders createmorespirited,innovative,andresourcefulteams— andthat'sthelevelofabilitynecessarytostayaheadofthe paceofnewtechnologyandsocialchange.

LeadingThroughInspiration,NotInstruction

Greatinspirationalleadersrecognizethatinspirationwill alwayswinoutoverinstruction.Theydon'tinstructother peopleonwhattodo;theymakeitvividandinviteothersto applyimaginationtobringingitabout.

Thisproducesemotionalconnectionandsharedmeaning —thefoundationofinspired,high-performanceteams.

Bylayingthegroundwork,suchleaderssetaprecedentfor humility,genuineness,andintegritynotbeingconstraints butameasureofpower.Theyinspirebymodelingthe possibilitythroughcollaborationandtenacity,inspiringa senseofpossessionthatdrivesindividualandteamgrowth.

MentorshipandLegacy

Buildingtomorrow'sleadersrequiresconsideredmentoring. Outstandingleadersseepotentiallongbeforeothersdo— andinvesttimebuildingit.Theydonotjustmentor successorsthroughfeedbackandcoachingbutbyexample, showinghowvalues,ethics,andcourageshapeworld decision-making.

Mentorshipitselfextendsbeyondbusiness.Leadersof todayusetheirvoicetoadvocatefordiversity,inclusion, andequalopportunity,releasingleadershippotentialforall. Inthisway,theyredefinelegacy—nottheirown,butasa cycleofempowermentthatextendsfarbeyondtheendof thisgeneration.

EmotionalIntelligence:TheHeartofEmpowerment

Middleemotionalintelligenceislessaboutknowinghowto feelorevensensebutmoreaboutbeingcapableof knowing,caringabout,andunderstandingpeople.Leaders whobuildemotionalintelligenceinthemselvesbuildtrust culturesandpsychologicalsafetycultureswherepeoplefeel respectedandvaluedforthemselvesandnotnecessarilyfor doing.

Thisemotionalintelligenceenablesleaderstoview strengths,embracechallenges,andprovidetheoptimal levelofsupportandchallenge.Ittransformsworkplaces fromtransactionalenvironmentsintocommunitiesof purposewherepeoplegrowprofessionallyandpersonally.

EmpowermentThroughSharedLeadership

Thenewgenerationhasusheredinanewstyleofleadership asteamwork.Empoweredteamsdonotwantaleaderto guidethem;instead,theybecomeapoolofleadershipin themselvesthroughcoordination,accountability,andshared purpose.

Visionaryleadersmakethistransitionpossiblewith decentralizationofthebureaucracies,energizing

communication,andemphasizingtransparency.Theyleave thedoorsopentoinputatalllevelsbecausetheyunderstand thatinnovationwillemanatefromthemostunexpected sources.Withsharedleadership,theyenablethefull potentialoftheentireorganizationtorespond,rejuvenate, andthrive.

TechnologyasanEnablerofEmpowerment

Inamoreinterconnected,globalizingworld,technologyhas becomeanempowermenttool.Leaderstodayareutilizing cyberspacetomentoratadistancefromanywhereinthe world,shareknowledge,andprovidevoicetovoicesthat otherwisewouldhavegoneunheard.

Technology,nonetheless,onlyhasthepowertoempowerif inthecauseofhumanbeings.Newleadersensurethat digitalrevolutionmakesfuelengagementandco-creation, ratherthanreplacehumanconnection.Theyusetechnology tonotisolatebuttolevelandunleashgrowthpotential.

TheMultiplierEffectofEmpowerment

Empowermentisapotentamplifier.Whenpeopleare treatedasvaluedassets,supported,andempoweredtolead, theyempowerothersinturn.Thiscycleofdevelopment powerfullydrivesinnovation,stimulatesparticipation,and formsstrongsystemscapableofnavigatingthrough turbulence.

Leaderstodayknowthatthegreatestmeasureof achievementisnothowmanyfollowersapersonhas,but howmanyleadersapersongenerates.Throughthegrowth ofleadershipamongothers,theyareassuredofprogress evenaftertheypassaway.

Tobeempoweredistobeself-assuredandwithoutintent; toempowerothersistobestowthatgift.Leaderstoday haveboth.Theydonotleadtop-down,butbottom-up— creatingculturesoftrust,cooperation,andcontinuous learning.

Thenextgenerationwillbeledbythosewhoweren't instructedwhattodo,butbythosewhowereempoweredto discoverwhattheycoulddo.Empoweringothers,today's leadersbuildlegaciesthatoutlastthem—legaciesnot baseduponpower,butinfluence.

Empoweredtoempower—thisistheessenceofleadership today,andonwhichleadershiptomorrowwillbebuilt.

Better How Awareness Shapes DECISION-MAKING

Inbusinesstoday,leadersareconstantlyinstatesof cross-pressuring,uncertain,andcomplexstress. Modernleadershipstressesencouragedecisionfatigue, reactiveratherthanreflectivethought,andemotional exhaustion.Undersuchasituation,mindfulness—the practiceofdevelopingpresent-momentawareness—has emergedasatoolforpromotingmoreclarity,concentration, andemotionalawareness.Mindfulleadershipisnolonger onthetrendlistforindividualwell-being;it'snowa strategicabilitythatcarriesthroughtobetterdecisionmakingandorganizationalculture.

NatureofMindfulLeadership

Mindfulleadershipisconsciousintegrationofawareness, compassion,andintentionalityintoday-to-dayinteractions anddecision-making.It'snotnecessarilyaboutnotgetting hijackedbydistractions,assumptions,orstressreactivityas muchasit'saboutbeinghere—presentininternaland externalrealities.

Asopposedtoancientparadigmsthatequatedleadership withurgencyanddomination,consciousleadershipreflects composure,simplicity,andvision.Consciousleadership makesitpossibleformanagerstostandasidebeforeacting, observeproblemsneutrally,andrespondreflectivelyrather thanimpulsively.Thiscapacityforfeet-on-the-groundin thefaceofpressurenotonlyraisesperformanceamong individualsbutalsostabilityandreliabilityingroups.

AwarenessastheFoundationforSmartChoices

Thepoweroftheleaderasadecisionmakerisbasedupon thequalityofawareness.Unmindfulleaders—dazedby busynessoremotionalreaction—lackinformation, misinterpretthedynamics,orarefearfulorbiasedintheir choices.Mindfulleadersconstructsituationawareness, seeingpatterns,pointsofview,anddangersthatothersdon't see.

Thisincreasedconsciousnessenablesthemtosortmuddled affairsartificially,tiltingfactandconjecture.Theycan separatesignalfromnoiseandmakeinformedchoicesin theethosoforganizationalpurposeandsustainabilityinthe longterm.Intheunknown,thisearthedawarenessisa startingpoint,andleaderscanleadwithintegrityand confidence.

EmotionalIntelligenceandEmpathy

Reflectiveleadershipbuildsupemotionalintelligence— knowingandbeingabletomanageone'sownemotions,and beingconcernedaboutotherstoo.Leadersareabletoknow theiremotionalhotbuttonsandprejudicesbybuildingselfawareness,reducingthenumberofreactionaryordefensive decision-making.

Empathy,though,causesthemtofeelmoresincerely investedintheiremployees.Theyheardeeply,learnin manyways,andcreatepsychologicalsafety—aplace whereemployeesfeelheardandvalued.Thatnotonly increasescollaborationbutalsocreatesmorejustandwise decision-making.

ThePowerofthePause

Mostvaluableapplicationofmindfulnesstoleadership mightbethepause.Underhigh-stakescircumstances— negotiating,conflictresolution,strategicdecision-making —havingpauseonhandenablespauseandfuturethinking.

Thisshortpauseinterruptscounterproductivetendencies, allowingleaderstopauseandreasoninthemidstof emotion,askquestions,andselectresponsebasedonvalues andintent.Withthepassageoftime,itinducespatienceand domesticatesthepowerofimpulsiveorself-centered choices.Inafast-movingbusinessenvironmentwhere speedmaybeachievedbutperhapsnotalwaysagility,the pauseisaprudentactionandnotademonstrationof uncertainty

EncouragingMindfulnessintheOrganization

Mindfulleadershipinvolvesmorethanbeingself-aware;it isacultureoftheorganization.Leaderswhoestablishthe habitsofmindfulnessalsocreatethecultureofinvolving thesamehabitslikeactivelistening,opencommunication, andreflectivecollaborationinothers.Bydoingso,they transformtheirteamsintomirrorswiththesamestrengths andbecomemoreresponsive,innovative,andresilient.

Companiesthatbringmindfulnessintothecorporatesetting areenjoyingtangiblereturns—lessburnout,greater

engagement,andbetterdecision-makingateverylevel. Regularpracticeofreflection,being-in-the-moment meetings,andemotionalandmentalbalance-based leadershipdevelopmentinitiativescreateahealthier,more resilientworkforce.

ClarityinComplexity

Leaderstodayareboggeddownbygiganticamountsof informationandcrosscuttingcallsontheirattention. Mindfulleadershipplacestheminexcellentpositionto managecomplexitysuperbly Withafeelforwhatthemost significantthingsarewithclarity,they'relesslikelytobe distractedorstuckbyadecision.

Thisopennessgivesstrategicvision.Reactiveleadersare morecapableofsteppingbackandviewingthelarge picture,distinguishinglong-termconsequencesfromgetting caughtupinshort-termconsequences.Theyconnect rationalandintuitivemastery—apartnershipofmastery criticalinexploringturbulentandunchartedseas.

IncreasedResiliencethroughAwareness

Resilienceiswhatonebuildsthroughawareness—the abilitytoreboundafterdisruptionandholdtogetherin adversity.Mindfulleadersarebetterabletomanagestress, beadaptabletochange,andkeepgoingforawhile.

Theysetanexamplebybeingresilientleaderswhostay composed,spreadcalmnessinastateofcrisiswithinan organization.Thecalmnessthattheycreatekeepsteams solution-orientedandstayengagedevenintryingtimes. Embodimentofsensitivityandbalance,mindfulleaders fosterresiliencewithinthemselvesandintheir organizations.

Conclusion

Mindfulleadershipisanewmodelofdecision-makingfor thenewmillennium.Bybeingaware,havingcompassion, andactingintentionally,leaderscanmakesmarterdecisions thatarecrystalline,empathic,andproductive.Theyshift frombeingreactiveandmovingintointentionalaction— leadingfromheadandheart.

Inafast-growingglobalvillageminutebyminute, mindfulnessisnolongeranoption;it'sanecessity.Mindful leadersdon'tsimplymanagemoreeffectively,butmore compassionately—theybuildorganizationsbasedon wisdom,drivenbypurpose,andabletoflourishinthemidst ofinfinitechange.

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