Applications are now open for the Redress Design Award 2026, as environmental NGO Redress begins its latest global search for emerging fashion designers focused on circular design. Now in its 16th cycle, the competition invites participants from around the world to submit entries before the 17 April deadline.
Organised in partnership with Lead Sponsor, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the initiative aims to address the environmental impact of the fashion industry by engaging early-career designers. The programme targets students, recent graduates, and professionals with less than four years of experience, challenging them to develop contemporary collections using waste textiles and circular design approaches.
The competition takes place against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny on fashion’s environmental footprint. With one garbage truck of textiles being landfilled or incinerated every second and only 0.3% of the global textile industry considered circular, the sector faces mounting pressure to reduce waste and emissions.
“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 Dr. 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.”
Entrants are required to incorporate circular strategies such as zero waste, upcycling, and design for recyclability into their collections. The focus on design-stage decisions reflects industry recognition that early product development choices shape long-term environmental outcomes.
Rising textile waste adds urgency to the competition’s objectives. Global projections indicate that textile waste will increase by 60% between 2015 and 2030, intensifying the need for systems that keep materials in use for longer. Circular design is increasingly viewed as a key pathway to reducing resource consumption and waste across the value chain.
Since its launch in Hong Kong in 2011, the Redress Design Award has reached more than 23,000 emerging designers through a combination of online learning and in-person programmes. The competition has received over 4,500 applications from 92 regions, reflecting broad international participation from established fashion hubs and manufacturing centres.
Semi-finalists in the 2026 edition will gain access to the Redress Alumni Network, which provides ongoing professional support to more than 350 designers working in circular fashion. The network is intended to extend the impact of the programme beyond the competition itself, supporting long-term career development in the sector.
Previous winners have pointed to the role of the award in shaping their professional direction. Hugo Dumas, joint First Prize winner in 2025, said, “Winning is not just about my designs, it’s about proving that creativity can outpace crises.” Fellow 2025 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.”
Industry figures involved in the judging process have also stressed the need for systemic change in fashion design. Orsola de Castro, Author and Co-founder of Fashion Revolution and a judge for the 2026 competition, 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.”
Finalists will be invited to Hong Kong for a series of activities including masterclasses, industry immersion, and participation in the Redress Design Award Grand Final Fashion Show. The programme also offers mentorship from professionals across fashion and sustainability, alongside editorial exposure and international media coverage.
The competition reflects wider industry efforts to align fashion with circular economy principles. As brands and policymakers face increasing pressure to reduce environmental harm, initiatives that focus on design education and early-stage innovation are gaining attention as part of the transition.
Redress continues to position the award as both an educational platform and a talent pipeline for the industry. By focusing on emerging designers, the organisation aims to influence future practices at a point where new approaches can be embedded into creative and commercial decision-making.
Applications for the Redress Design Award 2026 are open now, with full guidelines, eligibility criteria, and entry details available via the official competition platform.
