Italian designer Federico Badini Confalonieri has been presented with the 2022 Redress Design Award, which promotes greener fashion.
As a reward, he will now collaborate with fashion and footwear brand Timberland, part of the VF Corporation group which is working on several greener fashion projects and initiatives as part of moves to become a more circular organisation.
Redress is an environmental NGO promoting the reduction of fashion’s waste, and its fashion design competition’s lead sponsor is Create Hong Kong, a government body established in 2009 to spearhead the development of the creative industries in the region. The winning entrant was presented with his prize at an exclusive in-person VIP event and global livestream on 7 September, in Hong Kong.
Badini Confalonieri out-designed eight other finalists from Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, India, Spain, Chile, and Brazil, in what is an annual global competition focused on greener fashion and more circular design.
Sean Cady, vice-president of global sustainability & responsibility at VF Corporation, said: “Redress consistently brings together emerging talents across the world to challenge our norm and sustainable design thinking.
“As we look to embed circularity into the business models of our brands, we must disrupt our current processes, helping to drive creativity and fuel growth. With this goal in mind, we are excited that Federico will join us in bringing fresh innovation to support our upcoming sustainable design projects for our APAC market.”
Badini Confalonieri commented: “This prize is about more than winning a competition.
“It will give me even more energy and determination to work towards building together a more sustainable fashion industry. I am humbled that the jury selected me among such skilled designers. We sustainable designers may have competed, but the reality is that collaboration creates greater fashion.”
He added: “To partner with one of the world’s most iconic brands, Timberland, is a huge opportunity for me, and I look forward to creating a positive and powerful project together.”
All designers were encouraged to use circular design techniques, including zero-waste, upcycling, and reconstruction. This year’s finalists’ looks drew from various textile waste streams, including industry excess end-of-rolls, cut-and-sew waste, yarn waste, and consumers’ cast-off clothing.
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[Image credit: Redress]
