• Up-cycling : the recycling of a material into a product of higher quality.
• Reconstruction : the process of making new clothes from previously worn outfits or preformed products.
Each competition cycle takes designers on an education and design journey lasting several theory and design-packed months. Firstly, designers are educated about the fashion industry’s negative environmental impacts and the sustainable fashion design techniques, zero-waste, up-cycling and reconstruction that can combat this.
Secondly, designers are provided with the tools, via lectures, videos, articles and recommended links, in order to develop their understanding of sustainable fashion design. Designers are also challenged to source textile waste, in its many forms, to enable them to transition towards sustainable design and sourcing. Only then designers are put to the ultimate test – to cut waste out of fashion – in this standout sustainable design competition.
There is no entry fee . Eligibility This competition is open to residents currently living with a valid ID/passport/visa/resident permit in Hong Kong , Mainland China , Taiwan , Singapore , Malaysia , UK , France , Germany , Sweden or Denmark who are aged 18 or above (as of the application closing date on 15 August 2014 ) and who have less than three years’ full time or part time or freelance professional fashion design experience, or are a fashion design student in any year at an educational institute. Prize The first prize winner will design a capsule collection using up-cycled textiles for Shanghai Tang , China’s leading luxury brand that prides itself as the curator of modern Chinese chic.
For the second prize , the winner will team up with renowned luxury hotel, The Langham , to design a sustainable uniform collection for the hotel’s T’ang Court restaurant.
The special prize winner will win an educational trip to sustainable luxury jewelry brand, John Hardy ’s design centre and workshop in Bali, Indonesia to learn about their sustainable luxury business.
Moreover, all finalists and all semi-finalilst will win educational and career-enhancing prizes.