The EcoChic Design Award 2017 People's Choice

Lia Kassif has wowed the public and clinched the title of EcoChic Design Award 2017 People’s Choice! Her waste reducing designs stood out from the other 23 semi-finalists’ applications to take 13% of an open public vote held throughout May. Along with the accolade, Lia will receive a copy of Bloomsbury’s The Handbook of Design for Sustainability by Stuart Walker to help further guide her on her path to sustainable fashion design and joins the 120+ strong group of competition alumni working to change the face of fashion.

For her EcoChic Design Award application, Lia focused on the up-cycling and reconstruction design techniques to combine military uniforms and wedding gown waste, creating a juxtaposition between the strong meanings these two garment types hold for young Israelis.

Lia shared with us, “My awareness of the negative impact that the fashion industry has on the environment, humanity and natural resources was raised after attending an inspiring lecture by Orsola de Castro. I have become more sensitive to this subject and have been exploring alternative options for producing and manufacturing contemporary fashion. As a designer, I find it an amazing challenge to use and transform old to new to contribute to a better future.”

With over 4,000 votes received over a four-week period, the strong response seen from the global public showing support to their favourite sustainable fashion designers has been outstanding.

Congratulations again to Lia, we hope to see some of her designs come to life in the near future!