The Made for Change Challenge with VF and Timberland

Challenge accepted! As part of a the intensive series of educational activities this August leading up to the Grand Final, and in partnership with VF Corporation and Timberland, our 10 #RedressDesignAward Finalists joined the ‘Made for Change Challenge’.

Working in four teams, and in five short hours (including pitching to the judges) designers were tasked to develop a sustainable and scalable business concept which brought the Timberland purpose to life through responsible design and re-manufacturing of deadstock fabric. 

In preparation for the task ahead Timberland and VF Subject Matter Experts shared videos in providing essential background learning for the finalists on each expert’s focus area, ranging from sustainability to marketing to design and sourcing. Walking in the boots of a Timberland designer, with this new knowledge guiding their journey, finalists had to consider Timberland’s brand ethos - Style, Performance, Green, their target consumer and what the future of Timberland might look like.

During the challenge, teams also had the chance to spend quality time with the Subject Matter Experts, asking them questions to support their decision-making. With a short time for reflection and further polishing of the ideas in their teams, the finalists pitched their ideas to the executive judging panel - Anna Maria Rugarli (Sustainability and Responsibility Senior Director, VF Corporation), Mahmoud Salahy (VP & MD APAC, VF Corporation/Timberland), Michael Hannaford (VP quality management, digital product creation, technical design services, VF Corporation) and our very own Redress founder, Christina Dean.

Each finalist in the winning team received US$1,000 to help develop their careers. To find out more about this challenge, and which team won - subscribe to our YouTube channel to be alerted when the Frontline Fashion Unstitched VF challenge episode is released mid September!