Redress has announced the launch of the Redress Design Award 2026, marking the 16th edition of its global sustainable fashion competition. The initiative aims to identify and nurture emerging designers committed to advancing circular fashion, with applications open until April 17.
Organised in partnership with lead sponsor Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the competition focuses on equipping designers worldwide with the tools and knowledge to address fashion’s environmental impact.
“With one garbage truck of textiles being landfilled or incinerated every second and only 0.3% of the global textile industry being circular, fashion has a long way to go to become innovative,” said Christina Dean, Founder and Board Chair of Redress. “Eighty percent of a product’s environmental impact is determined at the design stage, so we must find the designers’ talents who can transform fashion.”
The Redress Design Award invites designers, students, recent graduates, and professionals with less than four years of experience to create contemporary collections using waste materials. Participants are encouraged to apply circular design strategies such as zero-waste techniques, upcycling, and design for recyclability.
Addressing Rising Textile Waste
With textile waste projected to increase by 60% between 2015 and 2030, the urgency for circular solutions continues to grow. Since its inception in 2011, the competition has reached over 23,000 emerging designers through educational initiatives and has received more than 4,500 applications from 92 regions globally.
Semi-finalists of the 2026 edition will gain access to the Redress Alumni Network, which supports over 350 designers working in sustainable fashion.
Voices from the Industry
The 2025 joint First Prize winner Hugo Dumas from France said, “Winning is not just about my designs, it’s about proving that creativity can outpace crises.”
Fellow winner Carla Zhang added, “Winning this competition has empowered us to promote resourceful solutions to more of the industry and consumers, as a way to find value in overlooked materials. It’s challenging, and I’m ready to rise to the challenge.”
Orsola de Castro, Author and Co-founder of Fashion Revolution and a 2026 judge, said, “Now more than ever, we need to address the real solution which is to design waste out of the system entirely. This competition empowers emerging designers to create beautiful, commercial collections that protect people and the planet.”
Opportunities for Participants
Finalists will receive a fully funded trip to Hong Kong, including masterclasses, industry exposure, and participation in the Redress Design Award Grand Final Fashion Show. Additional benefits include global media visibility, mentorship from industry experts, and access to the Redress Alumni Network.
Applications are currently open, with detailed guidelines and entry information available on the official Redress Design Award platform.
