Redress Design Award expanded to include menswear

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jan 25, 2019

This year, the Redress Design Award will be open to menswear designers as well as womenswear and unisex, including men’s fashion for the first time since the launch of the competition in 2011.

Hong Kong-based NGO Redress said the expansion was enabled by the addition of two new sponsors, JNBY Group and Eastman Naia, and announced new prizes for its finalists.

Focused on finding emerging designers with innovative ideas that have the power to inspire change, the awards are part of Redress’ initiatives to fight textile waste and promote environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.

Now in its ninth cycle, the winner of the Redress Design Award will receive the opportunity to work with the design team of fashion retailer JNBY to create a sustainable collection for retail. A second winner will be chosen to receive a tailored mentorship with Orsola de Castro, the co-founder of Fashion Revolution, and a third designer will be awarded the Hong Kong Best prize with a guaranteed place in the Grand Finale.

“In times of crisis, we desperately need creativity. Fashion’s direct link to waste, pollution and climate change is undisputed. By uniting the 2019 winner with a sustainably-minded fashion brand in China, we can influence one of the world’s most important fashion epicentres whilst showcasing the advances that China is making to clean up its act,” said Christina Dean, founder and board chair of Redress.

Li Lin, president and chief creative director of JNBY Group, adedd: “JNBY Group shares Redress’ goal to create a sustainable fashion industry. Last year we launched Reverb, a new circular fashion brand that is transforming our group's environmental impact. Globally the desire for change, particularly among the younger generation, is evident. We believe in the importance of educating the next generation and look forward to welcoming the next winner of the Redress Design Award into our team.”

FRONTLINE FASHION

With up to 99% of fibres produced each year ending up in landfill or incinerated, Redress is directing significant efforts to raise consumer awareness and promote sustainable fashion. One of these initiatives is a digital mini series that is launching on the NGO’s Youtube channel this month.

‘Frontline Fashion 3’, hosted by celebrity Cara G Mcilroy, follows the design journey of last year’s Redress Design Award finalists as they prepared to present their final collections in Hong Kong in September. The show will release new episodes each week.