Did you know the global fashion industry consumes more energy than the aviation and shipping industry combined? According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the production of all clothing people wear contributes to around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions due to long supply chains and energy-intensive production.
‘There’s no denying the fashion industry has been a major contributor to climate change and biodiversity loss – which means the industry’s sustainability efforts are critical to our planet’s health,’ says hyper-influential global management consultancy McKinsey & Company.
With this top of mind and with ongoing climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, the South African NPC Twyg has been hosting its annual Sustainable Fashion Awards for the last six years. A critical component of this is to open its call for nominations to the public.
‘At Twyg, we want to celebrate fashion that is ecologically, socially and culturally fit for the future. We need to support the leaders, designers and makers involved in ushering in the tomorrow our planet needs,’ says founder Jackie May, who launched Twyg in 2018. ‘Sustainability is not a trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how we think about what we wear, how it’s made, and the impact it has on the planet and people.’
Twyg works at the intersection of fashion and sustainability, inspiring and supporting kinder, fairer, inclusive and nature-friendly futures. The Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards is one of its many dynamic projects, which include the Slow Fashion Festival, Africa Textile Talks and Confections x Collections, and more.
Twyg was the first to launch sustainable fashion awards in South Africa. Its awards programme honours local fashion changemakers and supports emerging and established designers across accessories, footwear, clothing, tastemakers, activism, and other nomination categories. The awards seek to celebrate the leadership, creativity and commitment it takes to innovate fashion with empathy and courage.
The contest seeks designers who implement sustainable, circular and regenerative approaches to design and who foster ethical practices in the industry; who help build thriving communities and who are sensitive to cultural and place-appropriate design. The awards support sustainable fashion in a very complex industry.
‘You can nominate someone, and we encourage designers to self-nominate. Only by raising our voices and making different choices can we bring about change,’ says May.
‘We invite you to be part of shaping our society and communities through raising your voice to highlight designers who are making an impact, no matter how small. If you’re with us in wanting to inspire a fashion and textile industry that is diverse, sustainable, and embraces circular design principles, then put your nominees forward now!’
Twyg opened nominations for the awards on 28 August 2024 and these can be submitted online via www.twyg.co.za. The submissions process has been formulated in collaboration with Eco Standard South Africa.
Nominations close on 27 September 2024 after which judging commences. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in Cape Town on 22 November 2024, and the overall winner will receive a substantial prize.
