RECO – Fashion for the Future

Entry applications are now open for the “RECO Young Designer Competition 2020”, which is calling for ideas to create streetwear from recyclables.

This is the ninth edition of what is hailed as the largest upcycling design competition in Thailand organised by Indorama Ventures, a global chemical producer, which has since 2011 recycled 750,000 tonnes of post-consumer PET bottles into resins, yarns and fibres to be used in various industries including fashion.

Held to promote the values of recyclable materials in producing new products for daily life, the contest is open to students and designers aged 17-35 years who are required to create a sustainable fashion collection under the “Revive: Start From Street” concept.

The collection must comprise three outfits — an original conceptual outfit and two outfits for daily wear with matching shoes and accessories. The designs must include at least 60% discarded polyester, a fabric made from recycled PET bottles, or other recyclables.

Only 30 shortlisted contestants will be selected and they will have an opportunity to join a series of eco-design workshops conducted by fashion and design gurus, who will help enhance their knowledge and skills of designing and utilising recycled materials.

Ten finalists will then be selected who will be required to transform their designs into reality to showcase at a finale to be held at Iconsiam early next year. The top three winners will receive 100,000, 50,000 and 30,000 baht, respectively, as well as an opportunity to create a design for the Buriram United Football Club.