Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel has launched a competition for fashion and design colleges in Europe under the motto Fashioning Sustainability. The aim is to show that sustainability is a key factor in innovation and to bring talented young designers together with the European clothing industry. The winners of the competition will be chosen on 13 September in Verona, Italy.

Twenty-five fashion and design colleges from Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Poland and Spain are taking part in the competition. Students have been developing their ideas for sustainable clothing since last March.

The two most innovative outfits from each school will go forward to the final on 13 September, which will be held in the historic location La Gran Guardia in Verona, Italy. An international jury of fashion design experts, opinion leaders and journalists will select the most sustainable design concept in each of three categories: innovation, technology, and design.

Each of the winners will receive a prize of EUR 2,000. At the event, they will then have the chance to personally meet and talk with some of the key players in the fashion and sports clothing industry.

“For us at Freudenberg, innovation and sustainability belong together. The way that the competition connects with our customer event in terms of theme and timing is a perfect opportunity to bring together innovative young designers and the clothing industry,” explained Ulrich Scherbel, General Manager at Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel.

The day after the final, on 14 September, Freudenberg will be hosting a customer event with around 600 guests in the Gran Guardia. This will feature a panel discussion on the subject of sustainability as a driver of innovation. A marketplace will give guests the opportunity to get to know the latest innovations from Freudenberg and selected partners, while a fashion show will demonstrate the company’s interlinings in action. The whole event will be rounded off with a gala dinner.

Freudenberg Performance Materials is a leading manufacturer of innovative technical textiles for a broad range of markets and applications, such as apparel, automotive, building interiors, construction, energy, hygiene, medical, shoe and leather goods, as well as specialties. In 2017, the company generated sales of more than EUR 935 million and has 25 manufacturing sites in 14 countries and more than 3,700 employees.

www.freudenberg-pm.com