The Sustasia Fashion Prize, launched by Shanghai Fashion Design Association (SFDA) and sustainability agency yehyehyeh, aims to promote sustainable practices and accelerate innovation in the fashion industry in Asia. It also encourages young designers in this region to use sustainable, innovative materials and production processes,by offering a cash award and industry support. Additionally, it seeks to promote the broader application of these materials in the market to facilitate the sustainable transformation of the fashion industry.
The impacts it aims to reach are:
Champion Young Designers;
Drive Material Innovation;
Promote Sustainable Practices;
Encourage Industry-wide Change;
Unite Style and Sustainability.
Shaway Yeh, founder of the Sustasia Fashion Prize and yehyehyeh says: “Asia is one of the most culturally dynamic regions in the world; with its wealth of diverse talents, artistic heritages and rapid innovation, we believe the next-gen sustainability solution will emerge here. We would like to encourage next-gen talents working with next-gen materials to design outfits which are fashion-forward and future-proof, crafting garments that set new standards in style while championing sustainability. Moreover, I hope this Prize will evolve into a platform that innovative forces and design excellence across the region meet and propel sustainable transformation within fashion industry with a distinctly Asian perspective.”
The Prize is open to young designers who are from the Asia region, between the ages of 18 and 40, and possess a minimum of three years’ experience in producing commercially available apparel. Applicants also needs to demonstrate understanding and experience in implementing sustainable practices throughout the apparel supply chain, including innovative approaches to fabric and textile usage, by answering the self-assessment questionnaire.
Applicants are required to submit all materials via the official “Prize” website. 8 finalists will be selected according to the evaluation criteria. Each finalist will receive 10,000 RMB and will be paired with a next-gen materials innovator to create a competition outfit (or accessory). The 8 outfits will be shown in an exhibition and be presented before a panel of esteemed juries. The final winner will be awarded 100,000 RMB and with industry supports in media exposure, retail business, material and brand collaboration opportunities and advisory consultations.
The evaluation criteria are based on the principles of “Shan Future Challenge”, to design outfits which are fashion-forward and future-proof, crafting garments that set new standards in style while championing sustainability. This means reducing negative environmental impacts by adopting planet-positive strategies: using low-impact materials and processes, designing with low-waste and circularity principles, enhancing transparency and traceability, considering the longevity and/or recyclability of the apparel, respecting people working within the supply chain.
To facilitate the selection of excellent designers from the regions and also matching the innovative (next-gen) materials startups, the Prize has a group of strong experts to support. The Advisory Committee is composed of influential industry leaders and experts across Asia, who include:
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
Desmond Lim, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Singapore (to be invited)
And the Innovation Partners are:
The Mills Fabrica
Fashion for Good
Mattter
The online application period is from September 1 to October 31, 2024. The 8 finalists will be announced in mid-November and the final presentation, exhibition and award ceremony will be held in March 2025 during Shanghai Fashion Week.
To apply and know more, please click the link:
http://www.sfda.org.cn/sustasia
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.
For more information or interview inquiries, please contact:
Shaway Yeh Shaway@yehyehyeh.com
Valentina Xu Valentina@yehyehyeh.com