Celebrating the competition’s 10th anniversary, the Redress Design Award 2020 is the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition which works to educate emerging fashion designers from around the world about sustainable design concepts and techniques.

As consumer interest in sustainable apparel continues to rise, VF is challenging some of the industry’s most promising young talents to disrupt the status quo and drive circularity and sustainability across the industry.

“Our collaboration with Redress, now in its second year, connects us to talented, emerging designers who are passionate about creating fashionable, compelling designs with environmental responsibility in mind,” said Kevin Bailey, VF’s executive vice president and group president, Asia Pacific Region and Emerging Brands. “We are constantly inspired by their commitment to circular design and creativity. These are the future leaders who are going to help drive lasting and positive change throughout our global industry and we are proud to be part of their journey.”

While the Redress Design Award 2020 was held virtually this year on September 3, its impact has been seen worldwide. The 10 finalists were supported by an international judging panel that included VF’s Kevin Bailey and British fashion designer and Timberland creative director Christopher Raeburn. The Menswear Category prize winner, Ngoc Ha Thu Le who is currently a fashion designer at Magenta Vintage in Hanoi, Vietnam, will collaborate with the Timberland brand to develop a sustainable capsule collection for sale at retail. The release of the collection will coincide with the Chinese New Year 2022 and will be inspired by the Year of the Tiger.

“Timberland believes that a greener future is a better future, which makes our partnership with Redress such a natural fit,” said Mahmoud Salahy, vice president and managing director, Timberland Asia Pacific. “As a brand that’s deeply committed to environmental and social responsibility, Timberland strives to not only minimise our impact on the planet through the products we make, but we’ve set a bold goal for all our products to have a net positive impact on nature by 2030. We are incredibly excited about the journey ahead and hope to inspire the industry as a whole to work together and positively shape our collective future.”

In the leadup to the Redress Design Award 2020 Grand Final, VF and the Timberland brand hosted the “Made for Change Timberland Challenge” on August 31, 2020. With guidance from VF and Timberland subject matter experts, emerging designers competed to develop the most innovative and sustainable design concept for a range of iconic Timberland products. Fashion designers Ruth Weerasinghe from Sri Lanka, Inhwa Jin from South Korea and Beatrice Bocconi from Italy were selected as winners of the challenge for their multi-purpose accessories concept that enhances product sustainability.

“The Redress Design Award equips fashion’s future leaders with real-life sustainability knowledge to give them the best chance to make a bigger positive impact during their long careers ahead. Our close partnership with VF, who connected participants with their exceptional team, provides designers with real-industry context to fast-track their sustainability journeys,” said Christina Dean, Redress founder/chair and The R Collective founder/CEO.

Founded in 1899, VF Corporation is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, activities and experiences they cherish most through a family of iconic outdoor, active and workwear brands including Vans, The North Face, Timberland and Dickies.

Founded in 1973, Timberland is a global outdoor lifestyle brand based in Stratham, New Hampshire, with international headquarters in Switzerland and Hong Kong. Best known for its original yellow boot designed for the harsh elements of New England, Timberland today offers a full range of footwear, apparel and accessories for people who value purposeful style and share the brand’s passion for enjoying – and protecting – nature.

The Redress Design Award was developed by and is wholly organised by Redress, a pioneering environmental charity working to reduce textile waste in the fashion industry. They achieve this through a variety of dynamic programmes which work to minimise the negative impacts of fashion, whilst promoting innovative new models and driving growth towards a more sustainable industry via the circular economy. Working directly with a wide range of stakeholders, including designers, manufacturers, brands, educational bodies, government and consumers, Redress aims to create lasting environmental change in fashion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)