Promoted by Isko, leading denim ingredient brand, and carried out with the help of its style and research division Creative Room, Isko I-Skool saw its sixth edition crowned with a unique tribute to the Creative Theme.

Launched in January 2019 at the international trade show Premium Exhibition in Berlin, the project’s Creative Theme ‘New Denim Codes’ challenged the designers’ creativity to explore a novel perception of the body, developing the right fit for any shape or form.

A first in the history of the programme, this edition welcomed participation by Denim Design professionals in the early stages of their careers, in addition to students in their final year of a Fashion Design BA or MA. Designers were asked to start from focusing on the body as inspiration, along with a market and target consumer analysis. They then worked on their own vision of the future of fit.

They had to go beyond the creation of a single outfit, designing a complete capsule collection by selecting some of the most advanced Isko denim fabrics and patented technologies. The diversity of these emerging new denim codes, the variety of body types and the different facets of our society were echoed in many aspects of the evening’s concept and performances, through a mix of elements and materials.

On July 2, the Denim Design Jury – an authoritative panel of Creative and Technical experts – came together to evaluate the 17 designers’ projects and elect the winners of this year’s edition.

The decision was based on several criteria, such as the impact of the finalists’ vision and storytelling and the actual marketability of the garments, created with the help of Creative Room. Responsible Innovation was an integral part of the designers’ projects as they tapped into Isko premium fabrics, all of which are created implementing responsibility throughout every step of the production process. Part of these innovative fabrics is a special denim selection which led Isko to be the first mill in the world to have achieved Nordic Swan and EU Ecolabel certifications.

An engaging opening performance along with a glamorous catwalk showcasing all 17 creative fashion outfits initiated the Official Award Ceremony.

The announced winners were: Xiaohui lyu, BIFT – Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (Winner of the Best Overall Student Award; Isabelle Viengxay (Winner of the Best Overall Young Professional Award); Xiaohui Lyu, BIFT (Winner of the Best Showpiece); Bilge Hakan Gurkaynak, Polimoda (Winner of the Riri Award); Irene De Vecchi, NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (Winner of the Reca Award); Xiaohui Lyu, BIFT (Winner of the Vogue Talents Special Mention); Alex Luonto, Aalto University – School of Arts, Design and Architecture (Winner of the Sportswear International Special Mention).

With responsibility and sustainability playing a major role in modern fashion, the jury also looked out for the designers who, through their capsule collections, best distinguished themselves for their take on sustainability.

The two finalists who received high commendations for the Best Sustainable Design Award were Shirin Fakhradin Araghi, AMD - Akademie Mode & Design and Bilge Hakan Gurkaynak, Polimoda.

Many Isko I-Skool partnering players and brands awarded winners with internships – real opportunities to experience and change the industry from within.

Isko, the leading ingredient brand on a global level, is the first denim producer in the world to be recognised with the Nordic Swan and EU Ecolabel certifications. The company has a production capacity of 300 million meters of fabric per year, with 2000 state-of-the-art automatic looms. Isko was the first to introduce the LCA (Life Cycle Assessments) methodology in the denim industry, which in line with the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 certifications makes it possible to evaluate and quantify the environmental footprint of a product throughout the entire life cycle, from the raw material to the finished product. (PC)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India