Jasmine Leung
“MY AIM IS TO CHANGE THE STEREOTYPE OF SUSTAINABLE FASHION BEING UNATTRACTIVE BY CREATING A NEW IMAGE OF ECO-FASHION AND REDEFINING THE MEANING OF BEAUTY.”
– JASMINE LEUNG
“All great changes are preceded by chaos,” wrote the Indian American author Deepak Chopra. These words resonate with designer Jasmine Leung, who rescues waste to use as raw material for 3D-printing garment embellishments.
“Creating chaos is our way to change the stereotype of sustainable fashion being unattractive and redefining the meaning of beauty. No chaos, no creation,” shares the designer, who holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hon) in Fashion Design from the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi). In addition to being a Finalist this year, Jasmine was also a Semi-finalist in 2021.
Her Redress Design Award collection, ‘Over the Midnight of Doomsday Clock’, restores plastic and electronic waste into unique beadings and sequins to present the image of modern fossils. She experiments with the growing technology of 3D printing to create the signature beading of her collection out of materials such as PET X-ray film, plastic spoons, and round metal tins.
Jasmine also sources recyclable textiles, including end-of-roll recycled nylon and natural fibres like cotton and wool, as well as bio-based sorona, which is made from corn. Connecting with suppliers and vendors who share her vision for sustainability, she also collects from a wide range of waste, including secondhand garments, samples, and factory deadstock.
“Every garment is unique, and one kind of fabric will not have much [variety],” shares Jasmine as she reflects on the challenge of mixing and matching textiles for upcycling and reconstruction. The pleated skirt and ruffle pattern are designed with zero waste, enriched by various flower shapes, ruffles, and volume from pattern overlapping. Her designs feature a black and dark colour palette and different styling options for added versatility and longevity.
Jasmine plans to band together with a friend to start their own sustainable fashion label. As a designer, she hopes to participate in and promote the formation of a circular fashion system.
