HONG KONG—Redress, the environmental NGO committed to propelling the fashion industry toward circularity by educating designers and consumers to mitigate clothing’s ecological impact, has orchestrated an editorial photoshoot featuring forthcoming runway ensembles conceived by the Finalists of the Redress Design Award 2023.

The Redress Design Award, spearheaded by Redress and backed by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Lead Sponsor, ushers this year’s Finalists into an enlightening trip to Hong Kong, culminating in a runway presentation of their creations at the Grand Final Fashion Show on September 7. The event will grace CENTRESTAGE in Hong Kong and reach a global audience through live streaming.

Image Courtesy of Redress.

Themed ‘Reflection,’ the photoshoot underscores designers’ role in sustainable fashion, with 80% of a garment’s environmental impact set during design. Curated by Hong Kong creative Kayla Wong and captured by Kim Lo, the shoot employs mirrors to prompt reflection on textile waste’s climate impact and the future of fashion as innovated by the Finalists.

These looks will grace the Redress Design Award 2023 magazine, both in print and digital, while UPS’ carbon-neutral shipping offsets the environmental impact of transporting collections to Hong Kong.

Finalists’ collections address textile waste creatively, from crafting fabric from denim scraps to utilizing plastic and electronic waste for embellishments and employing zero-waste appliqué techniques.

“The Redress Design Award Finalists represent a new creative force reshaping fashion’s future. Collaborating with them and witnessing their waste-transformed looks is a privilege. I eagerly anticipate their Hong Kong runway debut,” says Kayla Wong, photoshoot stylist and founder of LANG.

In the coming month, collections will be judged for adherence to circular design principles, covering low-impact processes, durability, and recyclability. The esteemed panel includes figures like Kévin Germanier, Creative Director of GERMANIER, and Orsola de Castro, Co-founder of Fashion Revolution.

Before the Grand Final Fashion Show, Finalists engage in immersive experiences at the Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West. They visit garment factories, tackle circularity challenges with TAL Apparel, and interact with sustainability experts from Delta Global. Joining the Redress Design Award Alumni Network, they receive ongoing support for sustainable fashion endeavors.

The grand final fashion show

Mark your calendar for the Redress Design Award 2023 Grand Final Fashion Show, taking place on September 7th, 2023 (Thursday). This exclusive in-person event will also be live-streamed worldwide at 6:00 pm (HKT) / 12:00 pm (CET) via Facebook and Weibo. Save the date through this link.

In addition, Redress will feature a collection of eight Redress Alumni brands during the Grand Final Fashion Show and at a dedicated showcase of Alumni brands at CENTRESTAGE in Hong Kong from September 6th to 9th, 2023 (Wednesday to Saturday), open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Supported by Alumni Sponsor, Mercedes-Benz, this showcase warmly invites industry experts and the general public to engage with designers and explore their environmentally-conscious, waste-reducing collections up close.