The "Fashion Innovator of the Year" has been announced! – The winning entry focused on social responsibility and sustainability

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency—based on the professional jury's decision—awarded the “Fashion Innovator of the Year” title to the students of Angster József Vocational and Technical School, who submitted their concept for the competition based on the idea of recycling of umbrellas. The winners, as well as the teams that placed 2nd and 3rd in the competition, received valuable prizes.

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency created the “Fashion Industry Vocational Training Development Support Program” intending to restore the prestige of jobs in fashion and to raise awareness about the opportunities the fashion industry can provide to young students, who are still in the process of choosing a career path.

Along these lines, in the framework of the 2021 program, the HFDA—as a professional partner—joined the Startup Campus InnoGEN Youth Program, focusing on nurturing young talents, developing their creativity, and inspiring the next generation. As part of this year's program, the "Fashion Innovator of the Year"  category was launched.  

The competition attracted many creative entries from talented young students who have the potential to become the fashion industry professionals of the future. Submitted materials were judged by a professional jury, which decided on the final result. Based on the overall assessment, the title of "Fashion Innovator of the Year" was awarded to Alexandra Biri, Daniella Dudás and Szidónia Gosztolai from the József Angster Vocational and Technical School, who will be the 2021 Fashion Student Ambassadors of the Year. Second place went to Szabina Györkös and third place was awarded to Antonia Vanessza Tóth.

"I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to apply, as this might be a way to make people aware of the extent of the pollution" said one of the members of the winning team. The winning team wanted to show the world that it is possible to create something new and special from used materials and objects. With raincoats made from faulty or discarded umbrellas, they won the recognition of the professional jury and the grand prize.

Szabina Györkös, a student of the Wesselényi Miklós Technical School and College of Nyíregyháza SZC, was awarded second place. As her project, she used hand-made and digitalised pattern design, printing and engraving on leather, while focusing on innovation and digitalisation. Third place went to Antónia Vanessza Tóth, a student of the Budapest Complex SZC Creative Technical College, who also took sustainability into account when creating her collection from newspapers and nylon bags and decorating them with Hungarian folk motifs.

Alexandra, Daniella and Szidónia have won a TIKTOK and INSTAGRAM video titled "Fashion Innovator of the Year" with InnoGEN host Tamás Trunk, a pair of EFOTT tickets each and three high-quality sewing machines equipped with modern technology. Additionally, together with the second and third place winners, they will be welcomed as guests at the Budapest Central European Fashion Week hosted by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency during autumn.

The competition welcomed applications from creative, full-time fashion students aged between 14-21, who have created something innovative through their work, hobbies, talents or community involvement, which has not yet been widely recognised. The call for entries was open in the areas of innovation and digitalisation, arts and culture, as well as social responsibility and sustainability, and was accepting entries until the beginning of June.

A summary of the winning concept can be viewed HERE.