Shaway yeh, initiator of SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE and founder of yehyehyeh; the Prize winner Ruohan Nie; Julie Wang, Chairman of Shanghai Fashion Designers Association
Shanghai hosted a pivotal moment in sustainable fashion as eight visionary designers competed for the 2025 SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE, an initiative dedicated to fostering sustainability and innovation in Asian fashion. On March 28, 2025, the highly anticipated award was presented at SUHE HAUS with Ruohan Nie selected as the winner. Ruohan Nie stood out from the talented shortlisted candidates with her ability to transcend materiality and embed sustainability into the very logic of her creations.
Launched by Shanghai Fashion Designers Association and yehyehyeh, the SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE is committed to accelerating sustainable practices and innovation in Asia’s fashion industry by championing forward-thinking designers who seamlessly merge craftsmanship, material innovation, and cultural narratives. By providing cash awards and industry support, the Prize aims to empower a new generation of talents driving the green transformation of the fashion sector.
The 2025 judging panel—comprising leading figures from fashion and sustainable innovation sectors—evaluated finalists across multiple criteria, including sustainability, innovation, aesthetics, and practicality. Ultimately, Ruohan Nie’s ability to construct a design language beyond material exploration set her apart, securing her the top honor.
“Design is more than aesthetics—it is a methodology, an algorithm. If we rethink design from micro to macro, from two-dimensional to three-dimensional, how does that change the way we create? My work is about adaptability—where a skirt can transform into a top, a structure can expand or contract,” said Ruohan Nie,
Ruohan Nie and her winning work: 「Warp Threads Weft: Between Positive and Negative」
The Prize Finalists’ Exhibition「OUT OF ASIA」photo: Guo Yi
The 「OUT OF ASIA」exhibition at SUHE HAUS showcased the visionary works of the eight finalists. Each designer explored sustainability through cutting-edge material innovations, cultural storytelling, and radical craftsmanship, demonstrating how heritage and futurism can converge in fashion.
- Jaggy Glarino (Philippines) reinvents indigenous weaving techniques, drawing inspiration from the mythical Sigbin to explore cycles of consumption and renewal in fashion.
- Karmuel Young (Hong Kong SAR, China) applies mathematical precision to menswear, balancing industrial influences with an avant-garde approach to tailoring.
- Kha Ngo (Vietnam) reinterprets the “golden bag”, as a symbol of the transition from thrift to the dark side of consumerism in the digital age.
- Angel Chen (China) draws from Yeti folklore, weaving together endangered artisanal techniques to emphasize resilience in owe to nature and heritage.
- Pratyush Kumar (India) presents Illusory Echo, a surrealist meditation on the impermanence of time and existence.
- Tetsuya Doi (Japan) sculpts a symbolic “sheep deity” in wool and cashmere, reflecting on ethical resource use.
- Tommy Ambiyo Tedji (Indonesia) blends modular design with traditional craftsmanship, envisioning a future of adaptable, sustainable fashion.
Clockwise: Angel Chen(China), Karmuel Young(HK SAR China), Kha Ngo(Vietnam), Tetsuya Doi(Japan), Pratyush Kumar(India), Tommy Ambiyo Tedji(Indonesia), Jaggy Glarino(Philippines), Ruohan Nie(China)Photography：Li Shuo；Production：Kann Studio, Producer: Wills Chen
Shaway yeh, initiator of SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE and founder of yehyehyeh
In the wave of global transformation toward sustainable fashion, does the establishment of the SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE signal a shift in the industry’s paradigm? Shaway Yeh, founder of yehyehyeh and the Prize’s initiator, shared, “This prize not only provides a comprehensive overview of the diversity within contemporary Asian fashion, but also aims to build a bridge between designers and material innovators. We hope that this collaboration will give rise to impactful and truly Next-Gen design.” She emphasized that Asia, with its profound traditions in craftsmanship and potential in material innovation, holds the resources and talents to drive global sustainable fashion forward.
Andrew Wu, President of LVMH Greater China, pointed out that sustainable fashion and commercialization are not opposing forces, but rather work in tandem through exploration and practice. “During the judging process, we focus not only on material innovation but also on the evolution of business models. There are no fixed answers—it requires collective effort from the industry and continuous exploration,” he explained. He also stressed the crucial role of Asian consumers, especially in China, whose changing consumption habits are driving industry-wide transformation.
Madam Xiaolei Lv, Secretary General of Shanghai Fashion Week Organizing Committee and Executive Vice Chairman of Shanghai Fashion Designer Association commented that Shanghai Fashion Week has long been committed to nurturing creative talent and promoting sustainable fashion. “Although China’s fashion industry is still relatively young, we are in an era of rapid development. Fostering creativity, supporting young designers, and advancing sustainability go hand in hand in this evolving landscape,” she said.
Sarah Cragg, Asia Head of The Earthshot Prize, analyzed the Asia-Pacific region’s pivotal role from a global perspective. “Despite facing environmental challenges, Asia controls critical global supply chains and natural resources, making it a major force in driving sustainable development,” she said. She further noted, “For sustainable fashion to truly integrate into the commercial landscape, it must be scalable. Collaboration across the entire supply chain—from innovators to manufacturers to retailers—is essential to achieving this.”
Stella Zheng, General Manager of Corporate Affairs and ESG Management at JNBY, comments “During the judging process, I saw many unique creative methods. Several designers applied the exquisite skills of craftsmen. This expression, which is both innovative and deeply rooted in local cultures, has enabled many works to show great potential in commercialization and scale.”
From left：You Si, General Manager of the Commercial Marketing Mid-Platform at Xiaohongshu; Christophe Mollet, China CEO at Seiya Nakamura 2.24 Global Brand Management; Sarah Cragg, Asia Head at Earthshot Prize; Andrew Wu, President at LVMH Greater China; Li Na, Tennis Legend; Xiaolei Lv, Secretary General at Shanghai Fashion Week Organizing Committee, Executive Vice Chairman at Shanghai Fashion Designer Association; Shaway Yeh, founder of yehyehyeh and initiator of SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE; Stella Zheng, General Manager of Corporate Affairs and ESG Management at JNBY
The Prize’s judges and eight finalists at the exhibition opening
2025 SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE is made possible by the kind support of our key partners. Principal Partner JNBY, guided by its ‘Just Naturally Be Yourself’ philosophy, champions innovation in sustainable materials and design. Official Partner Erdos, a global leader in cashmere, continues to innovate and integrate sustainable development into the life cycle of products. Official Partner SkinCeuticals focuses on the concept of holistic skin care to create a comprehensive and sustainable program to protect skin health. Cultural Partner SUHE HAUS creates an inspiring space to celebrate the future of sustainable fashion.
About SFDA
Shanghai Fashion Designers Association (SFDA), established in 2009, is a non-profit organization with its headquarters in Shanghai. SFDA is dedicated to gathering a large number of Chinese fashion creative talents and integrating industry forces. By offering a range of industry services, the SFDA actively cultivates the Shanghai fashion industry ecosystem with a focus on innovation within the industry, aggregation of resources, development of talent, enhancement of commercial prospects, preservation of cultural heritage, and promotion of international exchanges. All aimed at amplifying the global influence, discourse power, and commercial value of Chinese fashion.
About yehyehyeh
yehyehyeh is an agency bringing together sustainability, creativity and innovation to instigate value-based change. It offers consultancy strategies, creative solutions, industry insights, product initiatives and communication services for forward-looking brands, companies and institutions. Partners include ERDOS, LVMH, Kering Group, OTB Group, Shanghai Fashion Week, Nio Life, Bloomberg Green, Global Fashion Agenda, Green Carpet Fashion Awards, etc.
Judging Panel
Andrew Wu | President at LVMH Greater China
Stella Zheng | General Manager of Corporate Affairs and ESG Management at JNBY
Li Na | Tennis Legend, Brand Ambassador at SkinCeuticals
Sarah Cragg | Asia Head at Earthshot Prize
Christophe Mollet | China CEO at Seiya Nakamura 2.24 Global Brand Management
You Si | General Manager of the Commercial Marketing Mid-Platform at Xiaohongshu
Xiaolei Lv | Secretary General at Shanghai Fashion Week Organizing Committee,
Executive Vice Chairman at Shanghai Fashion Designer Association
Shaway Yeh | Founder of yehyehyeh, initiator of SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE
Next-Gen Materials Supports
Advance Denim | Waterless dyeing denim
Oleatex | Plant-based leather alternatives
OTEX | Organic silk
BioFluff | Plant-based fur
Spiber | Brewed protein fiber
Zeno & Erdos | Biotech dyed cashmere
CELYS | Compostable polyester
InResST | Recycled nylon from fishing nets
Erdos | Recycled cashmere
Woolmark & Nanshan Fashion| Recycled wool
Advance Denim | Color shift waterless dyeing denim
ECOSOI | Pineapple fiber
W.ELL Fabrics | Bamboo Lãnh
The Advisory Committee
Svida Alisjahbana, Chairman of Jakarta Fashion Week
Kaoru Imajo, Director of Japan Fashion Week
Priyanka Khanna, Innovation Director of Fashion for Good
Kullawit Laosuksri, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Thailand
Tasha Liu, Founder of Labelhood
Cintia Nunes, General Manager, Head of Asia of The Mills Fabrica
Dee Poon, Managing Director of Esquel
Shaway Yeh, Founder of yehyehyeh
Darshana Gajare, Head of Sustainability, Lakme Fashion Week
Innovation Partners
The Mills Fabrica
Fashion for Good
Mattter