In the EU, work is being done to popularize business models based on the circular economy in the textile sector. The goal is to promote the reuse and repair of textiles. Lunga Vita Oy is involved in this change, and our mission is to make more sustainable clothing a happy and easily accessible option.
Clothes are repaired and modified in our creative sewing room, and our store offers unique products for more durable clothing. We want to be part of an ecosystem where we move away from fast fashion towards more sustainable fashion – from a linear economy to a circular economy. We offer upcycling collections as well as a sewing service for repairing and modifying clothes. Longer life for clothes!
Lunga Upcycle collection design competition - for more sustainable fashion!
Future fashion was created in the Lunga Upcycle collection design competition. The aim of the competition was to design a clothing collection using mainly recycled and surplus materials and to attract new designers. We wanted to see inspiring ideas and creative solutions that inspire to make sustainable choices in the world of fashion.
The competition was open from May to August, and we received 10 wonderful upcycling collections to evaluate. The jury included:
- Emilia Gädda, Leading expert, Responsibility & circular economy, Suomen Tekstiili & Muoti ry
- Minna Cheung, Lecturer, LAB, Design Institute
- Eija Tanninen-Komulainen, CEO, Kuopio Academy of Design, Design Union
- Bella Forsgrén, Member of Parliament
- Ari Lehto, Business Designer, Brande Oy
- Niina Friman, Chief Operating Officer, Lunga Vita Oy
- Sanna Nieminen, Entrepreneur, Lunga Vita Oy
In evaluating the collections, attention was paid to the following aspects:
- Creative and efficient use of recycled or surplus material
- Attractiveness, commerciality and pricing of the collection
- Understanding of the high-quality technical implementation of the products
- The possibility to implement the products effectively in the future
- The designer's insights, ideation and own style
- A stylish and high-quality package for a selected target group
The winners and their collections
The winners were announced in Jyväskylä on Friday 6 September 2024 at a happy After Work event.
Henna Laine won the main prize, which includes €1,000 for material purchases and the best help for developing her own brand from Brande. Henna describes her collection like this: "The target group of the collection is mainly women, but it also has more gender-neutral features. The clothes are youthful and commercial, and their main material is self-dyed collared shirts and old fabric scraps."
Miia Kuusinen-Heikkilä received €500 for material purchases. He says: "I really like designing party clothes, but I wanted to design a more casual collection. A soft denim fabric was selected as the material for the collection, and my design began to sprout around the surplus denim fabric."
Salla-Mari Valtonen also received €500 for material purchases. He describes his collection like this: "I have designed a low-threshold 'Ykskaks' clothing collection, whose target group is children from toddlers to elementary school age. The purpose of the collection is to make the most accurate use of men's collared shirts found in recycling centers and flea markets."
Lunga Vita Oy is proud to be able to support new designers and promote sustainable fashion. Thanks to all participants and congratulations to the winners!
Photo: Rita Topaloglou