“We are proud to partner with RCGD Global for the third consecutive year in greening up the Oscars and empowering rising designers through the global design contest. These events are major milestones in our goal to bridge the divide between luxury fashion and bringing positive impact to our planet. As we celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Tencel this year, the ongoing collaboration supports our overarching mission to provide brands and designers with sustainable solutions, focusing on enhancing circularity and achieving a completely transparent supply chain,” said Harold Weghorst, global vice-president of marketing and branding at Lenzing AG.

The winning designs of the 2020 and 2021 Global Design Contest, organised in partnership with RCGD Global and CLO, were unveiled publicly for the first time at a Pre-Oscars celebratory event to leading sustainable advocates. Those in attendance included Zoe Saldana, Paloma Garcia Lee and Haley Strode, the company said in a press release.

“It was a rejoicing moment to celebrate our Pre-Oscars celebration after two years of remote activity. It has been a pleasure to have our friends and supporters in one room to applaud fabrication and technological advances in the fashion industry alongside finally showcasing Sanah Sharma, Jasmine Kelly Rutherford and Yuriko Fukuda’s RCGD GLOBAL Design Contest winning looks. We are also thrilled to continue the celebrations with our annual sustainable gowns created with our partner Tencel on the red carpet at the 94^th Academy Awards,” said Samata Pattinson, CEO at RCGD GLOBAL. 

Using fabrics with a blend of Tencel Luxe filament yarn and cashmere, winner of the 2020 gown design, India-based designer Sanah Sharma curated a chic and majestic gown with zero-waste in mind. The gown shines with elegance in a silverish grey sheen. Winner of the 2020 suit design, New York-based Jasmine Kelly Rutherford created a unique look using fabrics with a blend of Tencel Luxe filament yarn and cashmere. The silvery grey sheen brought an exquisite twist to the classic red carpet tuxedo look. UK-based Yuriko Fukuda, 2021’s womenswear winner, designed a bespoke look using fabrics made of Tencel Lyocell fibres and acetate, the release added.

The winning design of the 2021 menswear category, created by Singapore-based designer Benjamin Koh, will be unveiled at a later date. As a celebration of sustainable innovation in haute couture, the event also featured a “green” carpet made of Tencel Lyocell fibres. Originated from certified and controlled wood sources, Tencel Lyocell fibres can be fully biodegradable and compostable. Made of Tencel Lyocell fibres, the carpet exhibited a pleasant, naturally gentle feel.

This year, three custom-made gowns, made of bespoke fabrics made from Tencel Lyocell fibres and Tencel Luxe filament yarn have been featured on the red carpet of the Oscars. More information about the fabrics used in the red carpet gowns can be found in the Appendix A. Derived from sustainably sourced natural raw material wood, Tencel branded lyocell fibres are produced in a closed loop process and are fully biodegradable and compostable. Known for its natural comfort, fabrics made of Tencel Lyocell fibres are also gentle on skin with high tenacity and efficient moisture management.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)