we award the most sustainable designer


Starting in 2024, the Estonian Fashion Festival will honor one outstanding designer demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable practices. This award aims to identify and celebrate creative individuals who contribute to making the fashion industry more responsible through their work. The award emphasizes conscious choices, creativity, and the promotion of sustainability in both design and messaging. A jury composed of a sustainability expert, a designer known for responsible practices, and a fashion culture and circular design specialist will carry out the selection process.

Evaluation criteria

  • Origin and impact of materials – the designer's awareness of the choice of materials, including a preference for recycled, organic, bio-based, and local materials; transparency in the production chain.
  • Awareness and resource efficiency of production – responsible organization of production, minimization of material consumption, use of residues, zero-waste cuts, modular design, and cooperation with ethical manufacturers.
  • Design quality and creativity – professional, distinctive, and well-crafted design that integrates sustainable solutions and is visually and functionally strong.
  • Cultural and social significance – highlighting cultural heritage, cooperation with local artisans, or social enterprises.
  • Communication and impact – clear presentation of sustainable choices on stage, in marketing; ability to raise audience awareness of the environmental impact of fashion and responsible decisions

2025 award


The Most Sustainable Designer Award is presented in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Tallinn and the CCI Contact Desk. The 2025 award will allow the winner to attend Berlin Fashion Week, from June 30 to July 6. During this event, the winner will showcase their collection to fashion week visitors and industry professionals while exploring the event. At the roam projects e. V. studio, located in the heart of Berlin, attendees will have the chance to view the Estonian designer's work alongside creations from other Berlin-based designers, including Sigrid Savva, Ece Manav, Stella Garbert, and Gina Melosi.



The award winner will be announced on June 14 at the conclusion of the Antonius fashion show at the Estonian National Museum.


2024 THE MOST SUSTAINABLE DESIGNER IS CÄROL OTT


The jury selected the following nominees from the 2024 shows: Mood-Performance-Tants – India Kiisler, OmaMood – Janika Solmann and Antoniuse Fashion Show – Cärol Ott. These designers have set an example through their creations, using materials sustainably, ethical production methods and consciously thinking about the environmental impact of each product.

In 2024, the title of the most sustainable designer was won by Cärol Ott, who received a visit to Copenhagen Fashion Week as a prize. You can read about her experience here.