The collection was developed as part of the UNIDO SwitchMed textile initiative and involved international designers who introduced students and teachers to circular design techniques, selection of fabric with low environmental footprint, design for recyclability, and upcycling practices.

“UNIDO’s participation at White Tradeshow event highlights the crucial connection between sustainable development and the fashion industry. Through the presentation of innovative circular production techniques, UNIDO promotes global cooperation in addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced by this sector. This can help inspire the collective commitment towards building a more responsible and sustainable fashion ecosystem.” Roberta, De Palma, Chief Technical Adviser at UNIDO

Circular design aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency throughout the product’s life cycle. This approach emphasizes the use of eco-friendly fabric choices and discourages fiber blends, which helps to promote fiber recovery for closed-loop recycling and reduce the carbon footprint of garment production. The focus is also on extending the lifespan of garments, making it easier to repair and disassemble them for recycling or repurposing.

The global fashion industry is experiencing a paradigm shift towards sustainability, driven by heightened consumer awareness and demand for eco-conscious products. Recognizing this imperative, UNIDO, through the regional EU-funded SwitchMed program, has spearheaded initiatives to promote circular value chains and enhance chemical management practices in the textile industry across Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Since 2019, UNIDO has been collaborating with renowned brands such as, Nudie Jeans, DIESEL/OTB and various stakeholders along the supply chain, including spinning mills, weaving companies, recyclers, research centers, textile federations, and educational institutions, UNIDO has facilitated training and technical assistance programs.

Additionally, the UNIDO demonstrated in eight pilot projects the potential of applying circular business models for valorising pre-consumer waste, for textile-to-textile and textile to non-woven applications, fostering collaboration and innovation across the value chain in the textile sector of Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

For more information on the Circular Design pilot project, click here.