Redress, Hong Kong-based environmental charity, will be showcasing 10 never-seen-before collections at the Grand Final of the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition – the Redress Design Award – on 5 September 2019. A photo-shoot of all these signature looks, made entirely from textile waste, was also arranged to highlight the stunning work of the Redress Design Award 2019 Finalists, which include menswear in the competition for the first time, alongside womenswear and unisex lines. With Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Lead Sponsor and now in its ninth cycle, the Redress Design Award shines a spotlight on Hong Kong as an important sustainable fashion hub, while providing a critical platform for emerging design talent.
With finalists hailing from across the world, the collections by overseas finalists to be showcased at the Grand Final of the Redress Design Award 2019 were shipped in from India, Germany, Canada, Australia, UK, Israel and Spain by long-term partner UPS, to Hong Kong. Their collections, together with those designed by the two finalists from Hong Kong, will kick off the exciting countdown to the finale. Renowned fashion photographer Donald Chiu and Hong Kong stylist Kieran Ho led the photoshoot to capture the 2019 collections at creative collaborative workspace, The Hive Studios, in Kennedy Town. The finalists of this cycle were challenged to incorporate sustainably-sourced Eastman Naia™ fabrics into their 100 percent textile waste-based collection pieces, and the team behind the shoot celebrated the powerful influence that the collections possess to break the stigma of reused and upcycled fabrics. The artistic direction of the photoshoot featured bright backdrops of artistically torn paper (sourced from dead stock through partner companies), and referenced the breakthrough of sustainable fashion into the mainstream.
The overseas finalists will arrive in Hong Kong in late August to partake, together with the other two finalists from Hong Kong, in what will be one of the most educational experiences of their lives, tackling a busy schedule of design challenges, fittings and rehearsals and even a visit to a garment factory supported by sponsor TAL Group, all in the space of 10 days. This exciting week will be documented by Mustard Collective in the fourth installment of award-winning digital series Frontline Fashion, hosted by Cara G. McIlroy. The Grand Final Fashion Show will take place at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s CENTRESTAGE, which is also sponsored by CreateHK, with returning make-up sponsor Popstar Cosmetics and hair sponsor KMS. Over the course of the competition, the finalists will also experience luxury design and iconic Hong Kong skylines during their stay with Hotel Sponsor, Kerry Hotel in Hung Hom.
The Redress Design Award 2019 will be offering a number of invaluable prizes. The First Prize Winner will collaborate with a team of fashion leaders on a contemporary sustainable collection for one of the brands of JNBY Group, which will retail in their stores across the globe. The Runner-Up will be awarded with a personal and tailored mentorship with distinguished sustainable fashion designer and Redress Design Award judge, Orsola de Castro.
The Grand Final Fashion Show will reach a global audience of 1,200, including industry professionals, media and VIPs, at CENTRESTAGE, which will be livestreamed locally and internationally.
