Let the games begin—the Circular Fashion Games (CFG), that is.
The brainchild of Startup Mix, a Dutch talent incubator, the latest edition of the bootcamp program will be convening interdisciplinary teams in two locations—Eindhoven, Netherlands, from Jan. 25 to 27 and in Amsterdam from Feb. 6 to 10—where they will co-create new circular innovations for the fashion industry.
CFG promises a roster of illustrious “trainers”: scientists, designers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders who will guide participants through the program based on circular design principles. The upcoming sessions will feature the likes of Douwe Jan Joustra, head of circular transformation at C&A Foundation, and Niccy Kol, brand and communication manager at Waste2Wear, a company that makes textiles out of recycled water bottles.
“Get a lifetime’s worth of skills, ideas, network[ing] and friendship which will help you amplify your impact,” CFG touted on is website.
The program doesn’t just accept designers or fashion students. Just about anyone with an interest is welcome.
“We believe that impactful innovation happens at the intersection of different disciplines,” it said. “The circular economy can only be realized by collaborations that span different sectors.”
Last spring’s inaugural session delivered some promising concepts, including an online tool for Lenzing that dispensed information about the circularity of its fibers and scored designs based on how recyclable they are. One idea, aimed at Waste2Wear, suggested the use of electrospinning to turn other types of plastics, including ocean microfibers, into fabric. Another prototype, an app called Closet.Pal, helped users map out their wardrobe contents while connecting them with sharing and repairing platforms.
Lenzing, outdoor-apparel firm Vaude and clothing collector Sympany have signed up as sponsors for the next iterations of CFG, which may eventually expand to New York and Los Angeles. Founding partners of the program include Circle Economy, Fashion for Good, Impact Hub Amsterdam and SingularityU The Netherlands.