Leveraging global production networks for local economic development: Insights from the fashion industry in Bilbao's creative and cultural sectors

• The paper extends GPN theory to creative and cultural sectors, analysing global–local interactions in the fashion industry. • It analyses a sustainable fashion firm in Bilbao, linking global supply chains with local resources and practices. • Focusing on emerging designers in Bilbao, it highlights the role of institutions such as BIAAF in skills and market access. • The analysis identifies intermediaries as key global–local enablers and derives policy insights for innovation and sustainability. • A comparative framework on coupling, embeddedness and power is developed to inform tailored policies for CCS development.