On 2 April 2026, students from the School of Fashion and Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University joined Redress for an immersive upcycling workshop that brought circular fashion principles to life. Titled Applied Circular Design: Remake & Value Creation, the session introduced participants to the REMAKE strategy — an approach that transforms existing garments into new creations with added value.
Led by Redress Design Award Education Lead, Ms Ekta Kacker Chopra, the workshop began with an introduction to circular fashion and the importance of design strategies that minimize waste. Students explored how fashion can shift from a linear “take-make-dispose” model to a circular system that prioritizes longevity, reuse, and creative transformation.
The highlight of the workshop was a hands-on activity delivered by Mr Jesse Lee, a Redress alumni designer. Using everyday garments such as T-shirts or socks, students experimented with cutting, reassembling, and reimagining materials to create fresh designs. This practical exercise encouraged them to see waste not as an end point, but as a starting point for innovation.
The session concluded with reflection and sharing, where students discussed their design intent and outcomes. Through this structured dialogue, participants gained new perspectives on how value can be created from discarded materials, and how design thinking can drive sustainability in fashion.
By combining theory with practice, the workshop empowered students to translate circular design principles into tangible outcomes, equipping them with skills to contribute to a more sustainable future in fashion and textiles.
