Call for Entries: Circular Fashion Competition 2025

Are you passionate about sustainability?

We welcome both emerging and established slow fashion designers, brands, and creative professionals who specialise in sustainability and innovation, and are committed to creating fashion with a positive environmental impact. Individuals or cooperative teams (maximum 3 members) can apply.

This is your chance to showcase your creative work and join the movement towards a more sustainable future!

In collaboration with the Circular Fashion Incubator CIC and the 9th Global Sustainable Fashion Week (#GSFW), we are thrilled to announce the launch of the Circular Fashion Week Conference and Competition as part of the 9th Global Sustainable Fashion Week. This joint initiative and award will celebrate designers dedicated to sustainable, circular, and ethical fashion, offering an inclusive platform for designers worldwide. We welcome participation from all regions across the globe, fostering a diverse and international exchange of ideas and perspectives in sustainable fashion.2025 Competition open to designers, brands, and creative professionals who specialise in slow fashion, sustainability, and innovation. We welcome both emerging and established designers assionate about creating fashion with a positive environmental impact. Individuals or cooperative teams (maximum 3 members) can apply to submit their collections in one of three exciting categories. This is a unique opportunity to gain exposure, connect with industry leaders, and celebrate fashion that has a positive impact on the planet.

Competition Categories:

  1. Traditional, Cultural Heritage & Spiritual Fashion
    This category celebrates designs that draw inspiration from cultural symbols, traditional techniques, and spiritual or emotional significance. Designers are encouraged to use upcycled materials while incorporating symbolic motifs, artisanal craftsmanship, and time-honoured practices that reflect their heritage. The focus is on preserving cultural identity and spiritual values through sustainable fashion, offering a modern take on traditional garments that evoke deeper meanings and connections to the past. By creating pieces that communicate personal beliefs and nature-inspired themes, designers elevate fashion to a form of storytelling and spiritual connection, emphasising the deeper significance behind their creations.
  2. Modern, Innovative & Smart Fashion
    This category encourages designers to push the boundaries of contemporary fashion by blending cutting-edge ideas with sustainable practices. Designers are invited to experiment with upcycled materials, forward-looking designs, and innovative approaches that reflect modern values such as sustainability, inclusivity, and social consciousness. Additionally, this category showcases designs that integrate technology, including smart wearables and garments with adaptive features or tech integration. The focus is on creating forward-thinking fashion that enhances functionality and promotes environmentally conscious production processes while prioritizing sustainability and innovation.
  3. Upcycled Fashion Mastery
    This special category is dedicated solely to the art of upcycling. Designers are encouraged to transform pre-loved, discarded, or surplus materials into fresh, innovative pieces. This is about taking what’s old or unwanted and turning it into something stylish and meaningful, showcasing mastery in sustainable design.

Competition Brief for Participants Without Completed Designs

We understand that some designers may not yet have their final designs ready. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, we are  pleased to accept alternative forms of evidence to showcase your ideas and creative direction.

Participants without completed designs can register by submitting the following:

Inspirational Mood Boards:
Showcase your vision, inspiration, and theme through a mood board. This can include images, textures, materials, and references that reflect the aesthetic and concept behind your collection.

Colour Illustration Boards:
Provide sketches or illustrations of your proposed designs, accompanied by colour schemes and fabric swatches where possible. These should clearly convey the intended look and feel of your collection.

Small Essay:
Write a brief essay (approximately 300-500 words) explaining your design concept, sustainability approach, and how your work aligns with circular fashion principles. Share your inspiration and vision for  contributing to a sustainable future through fashion.

Any Work-in-Progress Designs:
If you have partial designs or prototypes, feel free to include photos or sketches to further support your application.

These submissions will allow us to evaluate your creativity, commitment, and alignment with the competition’s goals, even if your designs are not yet finalised.

We encourage all participants to use this opportunity to share their ideas and passion for sustainable fashion. If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out to us.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your submissions!

Deadline for Entries: 28th February 2025

Our judging panel will review all submissions and select the winner and top three finalists. Winner & finalists will be notified by email by 31st March 2025.

2025 Competition: Application Criteria

To ensure a fair and transparent process, all applicants must adhere to the following application criteria:  

Eligibility:

  1. Open to All:

    The competition is open to designers, brands, and creative professionals specialising in slow fashion, sustainability, and innovation. We welcome both emerging and established designers passionate about creating fashion with a positive environmental impact. Individuals or cooperative teams (maximum 3 members) can apply.

    Competition Brief for Participants Without Completed Designs

    We understand that some designers may not yet have their final designs ready. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, we are pleased to accept alternative forms of evidence to showcase your ideas and creative direction.

    Participants without completed designs can register by submitting the following:

  • Inspirational Mood Boards:
    Showcase your vision, inspiration, and theme through a mood board. This can include images, textures, materials, and references that reflect the aesthetic and concept behind your collection.
  • Colour Illustration Boards:
    Provide sketches or illustrations of your proposed designs, accompanied by colour schemes and fabric swatches where possible. These should clearly convey the intended look and feel of your collection.
  • Small Essay:
    Write a brief essay (approximately 300-500 words) explaining your design concept, sustainability approach, and how your work aligns with circular fashion principles. Share your inspiration and vision for contributing to a sustainable future through fashion.
  • Any Work-in-Progress Designs:
    If you have partial designs or prototypes, feel free to include photos or sketches to further support your application.

    These submissions will allow us to evaluate your creativity, commitment, and alignment with the competition’s goals, even if your designs are not yet finalised.

    We encourage all participants to use this opportunity to share their ideas and passion for sustainable fashion. If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out to us.

    Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your submissions!

  1. Age Requirement:

    Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.  

  2. Travel Requirement:

    Applicants must be able to travel, as the Circular Fashion Week Conference and associated events are held in Leeds, UK. The winners will also travel to Budapest for the Global Sustainable Fashion Week. Travel expenses will not be covered.  

Competition Categories:  

  1. Traditional, Cultural Heritage & Spiritual Fashion:
  • Designs must incorporate elements of cultural heritage, traditional techniques, and spiritual significance.
  • Upcycled materials and symbolic motifs reflecting cultural identity are encouraged.
  • Zero-waste principles should be considered, using pattern-making techniques or material choices that minimise fabric waste.
  • The focus should be on creating garments that tell stories and convey deeper meanings tied to culture, heritage, and nature.
  1. Innovative & Smart Fashion: 
  •  Designs in this category should pioneer the future of fashion by seamlessly integrating sustainable practices with cutting-edge innovation.
  • Applicants are encouraged to utilise advanced materials, such as biodegradable fabrics, recycled textiles, or textiles embedded with intelligent fibres.
  • The inclusion of technology, such as adaptive features, smart wearables, or interactive elements, is highly encouraged to enhance functionality, user experience, and versatility in garments.
  • The focus remains on creating forward-thinking fashion that promotes eco-consciousness and embodies a commitment to sustainability, redefining the boundaries of modern design.  
  1. Upcycled Fashion Mastery: 
  • Designs must demonstrate the art of upcycling by transforming pre-loved, discarded, or surplus materials into new, high-fashion creations.
  • Zero-waste principles should guide the creative process, ensuring maximum use of reclaimed materials without generating additional waste.
  • The focus should be on creativity, craftsmanship, and the ability to turn what would otherwise be waste into wearable, stylish fashion.

Submission Requirements:  

  1. Entry Form:

    Complete the online entry form available on our website. All submissions must be in English.

  2. Design Collection: 
  • Submit a minimum of three pieces from your collection that align with the criteria of your chosen category.
  • Each design submission must include high-quality images of the designs (minimum three images per piece). File Naming: Name each image file using your name followed by a unique identifier for the design and image number (e.g., AndreaBenahmed_Image1.jpg).
  1. Design Brief:

    Provide a brief description of your design collection and how it aligns with the chosen category. This should include your design inspiration, materials used, and how your collection embodies sustainable principles. Please ensure that the brief is written in English.

  1. Sustainability Statement:

    Include a short statement (max 300 words) detailing your approach to sustainability in your design process. This should cover materials, production methods, and any efforts you have made to reduce environmental impact. The statement must be in English.  

  1. Biographical Information:

    Submit a short biography (max 200 words) about yourself, your background in fashion design, and any notable achievements or recognition in the fashion industry. Ensure that this biography is also written in English.

Judging Criteria:  

  1. Creativity & Innovation:

    The originality and creativity of the designs, particularly how they interpret the theme of the competition category, including materials.

  2. Sustainability:
  • The use of sustainable materials, upcycling, and eco-friendly production processes is essential. 
  • Designs should incorporate zero-waste principles, ensuring minimal to no material waste during the design and manufacturing stages.
  • Emphasis is placed on innovative strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining quality and creativity.  
  1. Craftsmanship:

    The quality of workmanship and attention to detail in the execution of the designs.  

  1. Concept & Storytelling:

    The ability of the designs to tell a story and communicate the values and inspiration behind them, especially about cultural heritage, personal beliefs, or technological innovation.  

Key Dates:  

  • Deadline for Entries: 28 February 2025  
  • Winner and Finalists Announced: 31 March 2025  
  • Circular Fashion Week & Conference 2025 (1 Winner and 3 Finalists Award Ceremony): 29 May 2025  Nexus Leeds University

Prizes & Awards:

  • Grand Prize: The winner will showcase their collection at the Budapest Global Sustainable Fashion Weeks 2025, gaining international exposure.  
  • Valuable Prizes for Finalists: The three finalists will receive valuable prizes, including mentorship and key industry networking opportunities.  
  • Top 3 Finalists: All finalists will have their designs featured at Circular Fashion Week 2025. 

How to Apply:  

Complete the online application form available on our website by 28 February 2025. 

By submitting an application, you agree to the terms and conditions of the competition, which will be available on our website. We look forward to receiving your entries and celebrating your creative, sustainable designs!  

For further enquiries, please contact us at:  

info@circularfashionincubator.co.uk
info@gsfashionweek.com