Twyg has announced that the entry deadlines for its 2022 fourth annual Sustainable Fashion Awards have been extended until today, Friday 14 October 2022.
If you are implementing sustainable, circular and regenerative approaches to your design(s), Twyg invites you to enter these into the relevant category of your choice.
Mimma Viglezio, a creative consultant and editor based in London, is a judge for the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards. She says that awards specifically dedicated to sustainability in fashion are the evidence that sustainability matters.
“It shows the importance of it not only to a wider audience, but also to the young creative/entrepreneurs who, we hope, will therefore be inspired to create responsibly,” she says.
Viglezio adds that she fervently hopes that these awards grow and that “there will be more of them, in all countries, especially countries that are gaining visibility in the fashion industry, like South Africa.” Her advice to 2022 entrants: “Find your own voice, offer something that has meaning beyond just being a garment or an accessory. The world does not need more stuff, it needs fashion that is sustainable, intelligent and beautiful.”
Esethu Cenga, CEO at Rewoven, an innovative business that upcycles and recycles textile waste says that one of the difficult things the clothing industry is facing today when it comes to sustainability is “greenwashing”. “There is a lack of accountability when it comes to the claims brands make about their sustainability efforts,” she says. “Awards like these are important to celebrate those brands that are not greenwashing and are actually making genuine efforts to practice sustainability.
A genuine interest and care in sustainability and in protecting our social and ecological systems will always show in the end-product. My encouragement to this year’s entrants would be to focus more on understanding sustainability in and of itself as opposed to only doing it because it is a value proposition for clients. I think that will help in presenting something authentic and it also prevents one from greenwashing.’’
Local jewellery designer and previous winner of these awards is Ashley Heather of AuTerra Jewellery, based in Cape Town. Her advice to this year’s entrants: “Take your time with the application and really reflect on the questions. Not only is it important for the application itself but it is also a valuable exercise in thinking through your business and where you have opportunities to tweak or improve your current operational model to be more sustainable.”
How to Enter
You do not have to submit garments or prepare a portfolio: a Twyg entry form (formulated in collaboration with Eco Standard South Africa) has been created where you can simply fill in the required details for your chosen category. Click here: https://twyg.co.za/awards-2022/
Once you’ve completed your form send it to [email protected].
The categories for 2022:
- Student Award
- Accessory Award
- Innovative Design and Materials Award
- Trans-seasonal Award
- Nicholas Coutts Award
- Retail Award
- Influencer Award
- CMT and Manufacturer Award
- Textile Makers and Mills Award
- Changemaker Award presented by Country Road (This category is not open to entrants)
- Prizes:
Country Road will be awarding a prize of R100 000.00 for the Changemaker winner. The winner of the Nicholas Coutts Award receives R10 000 from Nicholas’ family, and all category winners receive an assessment from Eco Standard South Africa.
Winners will be announced on 17 November 2022 at an event at the Mount Nelson hotel. For more information visit www.twyg.co.za or email [email protected]
