Ford Motor Company is looking to discover sustainable designers of the future with the launch of the first-ever Ford Design Grant. The inaugural grant will reward three promising fashion design students – living in Asia or Europe – by giving them access to Ford’s sustainable fabrics for their designs, together with a supporting financial grant of US$1,000.
The three selected winners will each be asked to use the grant to develop a high-fashion outfit with fabrics provided by Ford, to showcase runway-ready designs that have minimal environmental impact. The students will be provided with a collection of sustainable fabrics, one of which is made from recycled plastic bottles and utilized to make Ford car seats.
As well as giving young designers a unique, high-profile opportunity to display their skills and creativity using Ford’s sustainable fabric, the grant is an effort to raise awareness on the importance of sustainability in design.
“Through this grant, we want to encourage students to be creative and innovative in their work by experimenting with alternative fabrics, as well as enlighten them to have a different perspective about fashion production,” said Lau. “By giving students these resources and tools, we are helping to shape the next generation of leaders in sustainable design.”
With the Philippines having its own creative pool of budding fashion designers, Ford Philippines is confident that this grant will be a good platform for young designers to showcase their talent and creativity in creating‘eco-fashion.’
“We’re very excited with launching the first Ford Design Grant in the Philippines. Not only does it provide the opportunity for young Filipino fashion designers to showcase their talent, it also allows us to think beyond the box and innovate by stretching our imagination to make use of car materials in fashion. The Filipino talent shines on the global fashion arena and we look forward to seeing some great applications from the Philippines,” said Joseph Ayllon, assistant vice president for communications, Ford Philippines.
In addition to the grant, Ford will continue its partnership with Redress – an established NGO dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability in the fashion industry – to host the Ford Design Challenge at the 2016 EcoChic Design Award competition. At the Ford Design Challenge, 10 emerging designers will use Ford seat fabrics to create innovative ensembles. The winning outfits from the challenge will be showcased on the runway at Hong Kong Fashion Week as part of the EcoChic Design Award’s fashion show.
Applications for the Ford Design Grant are now available at the Ford Design Grant website: www.digitalsnippets.ford.com/fordgrant. Deadline of submission of applications is on November 30, 2015 and the announcement of grant winners will be made in January 2016.