Singapore’s inaugural Eco Fashion Weekend happened last weekend, and it was a momentous event for us! We were thrilled to be nominated for two prestigious awards: Sustainability-focused Media Platform of the Year and Sustainable Fashion Event of the Year. The best part? We took home the first one! Here’s a recap of what went on and to also give a shout-out to the other 11 winners who made the weekend even more memorable.
On April 20th, a standout moment from the event was a vibrant showcase of alternative fashion, where 10 local brands took centre stage. Alongside this runway, 12 categories of eco awards were presented, highlighting the champions of sustainability and honouring brands that are driving social responsibility within the fashion industry.
These awards, backed by Afreum.com, a cryptocurrency project with a focus on social good, celebrated the visionaries and influencers steering fashion towards a greener future. The winners were chosen through a combination of public votes and a panel of experts, featuring Nur Hazeerah Binte Mohamad Basri, Country Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Singapore; Michael Seiji Schindler, COO of the sustainable startup Pollen and a notable Angel Investor; and Stephanie Dickson, founder of Green Is The New Black and The Conscious Festival.
With over 50 nominees in the running, the judges had their work cut out for them, but their choices illuminated the notable progress being made by brands committed to sustainability and social impact.
Now let’s spotlight the winners of the inaugural Eco Fashion Awards!
Sustainable Fashion Pioneer Award – Raye Padit
Raye Padit is a visionary fashion designer on a quest to transform the fashion industry in Singapore and beyond. As the founder of The Fashion Pulpit, the largest swap shop in Asia, he’s at the forefront of the battle against fast fashion’s environmental and social toll. His mission? To make clothes swapping a sustainable, engaging, and enjoyable alternative, all while raising awareness about the consequences of fast fashion.
Sustainable Fashion Multi-label Retailer of the year Award – Zerrin
ZERRIN has emerged as the premier platform for discovering sustainable brands in South-East Asia, guiding hundreds toward more mindful wardrobe choices. Their mission? To make small, independent, and eco-friendly shopping the new norm. ZERRIN cuts through the confusion around sustainability, making it accessible so you can embrace it in your own way. They celebrate the joy in dressing consciously—whether that means buying secondhand or supporting eco-conscious brands. True to their name, which means “golden,” they focus on highlighting fresh talent and the voices leading the charge for positive change.
Green Fashion Journalism Award – Honeycombers
Chris Edwards, an Aussie, found herself in Singapore surrounded by a chorus of young expats lamenting the city’s lack of excitement. “Sing-a-bore,” they called it, but Chris saw through the uninspired label. Singapore was brimming with thrilling events, vintage boutiques, quirky pop-ups, hidden speakeasies, and off-the-beaten-path adventures—if you knew where to find them.
Thus, Honeycombers was born. Years later, Honeycombers has transformed into a dynamic team of more than 30 people, all dedicated to realising Chris’s vision of uncovering the best of Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, and Australia. What started as one woman’s mission to prove that Singapore was far from boring has grown into an international source for the hottest trends, events, and hidden gems.
Sustainable Fashion Creative Direction Excellence Award – Zerrin Studio
As the agency extension of ZERRIN—a pioneering indie media platform and marketplace—ZERRIN STUDIO brings over a decade of expertise in retail and media to help companies and consumers make more conscious choices.
With a wealth of knowledge, ZERRIN STUDIO can guide you through every step of launching, growing, or boosting your business.
Ethical Content Creator of The Year Award – @TheWeird&Wild (Woo Qiyun)
Qiyun, an illustrator with a passion for the environment, founded the Instagram account @theweirdandwild to bring climate change and environmental issues into focus through captivating visuals. Her goal is to transform complex scientific information into accessible, engaging content that resonates with a broader audience. Her innovative approach to science communication has gained attention from notable publications like The Straits Times, L’Officiel, and GRAZIA, and she’s been featured in exhibitions with TheGreats.Co and Lendlease.
Also did you know that Qiyun was once part of the Green Is The New Black family? How cool is that?
Sustainability focused Media Platform of the Year Award – Green Is The New Black
That’s us! We are honoured and deeply grateful to receive the Sustainability Focused Media Platform of the Year Award. This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team at Green Is The New Black. We believe that sustainability should be both sexy and accessible, and we’ve made it our mission to infuse a sense of fun and excitement into every aspect of what we do. Winning this award motivates us to continue on this journey, bringing you engaging content, inspiring stories, and innovative ideas that make sustainability something everyone can embrace. Thank you for joining us on this path, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next!
Sustainable Fashion Event of The Year Award – Fashion Revolution Singapore
After the tragic collapse of Rana Plaza in 2013, Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro founded Fashion Revolution, igniting a global movement. What began as a response to a horrific disaster quickly grew into the largest fashion activism campaign on the planet, inspiring millions to take action and challenging industry giants to rethink their practices. Through a mix of research, education, and advocacy, Fashion Revolution has galvanised citizens, brands, and policymakers to push for a more ethical and sustainable future.
Each year, the organisation marks Fashion Revolution Day on 24 April 2024, their efforts culminating in well-deserved recognition with an eco fashion award.
Innovative Fashion Alternatives Award – The Fashion Pulpit
Introducing The Fashion Pulpit, Singapore’s first permanent fashion swap space. Here, you can swap pre-loved clothing, upcycle your finds, and learn fashion tips—all in one place. It’s a flexible, community-driven approach to sustainable fashion and conscious consumerism. Bring your friends and family to create a purpose-driven fashion economy that’s as stylish as it is sustainable. Welcome to a new era of fashion!
Community Empowerment Through Fashion Award – Singapore Fashion Runway
Singapore Fashion Runway (SFR) is a unique social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals with special needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds through its innovative Fashion for a Social Cause initiative. At SFR, these communities are invited to explore a variety of creative pursuits such as design, art, crafts, and photography. They also engage in performing arts like modelling, dance, singing, and public speaking, alongside entrepreneurship training that covers retail management, event planning, and e-commerce.
SFR’s platform serves as a launchpad for untapped talent, offering participants the opportunity to showcase their skills in fashion shows and other public events. It’s a place where creativity meets community, transforming challenges into art and building a vibrant stage for people to shine.
Educational Excellence In Sustainable Fashion Award – Raffles College of Education / Raffles Design Institute
Raffles College of Higher Education, founded in 1990, has been a trailblazer in design education, nurturing creativity in a variety of disciplines, including Fashion Design, Jewellery Design, Interior Design, Digital Media Design, Animation Design, Video Games Design, Visual Communication Design, and Product Design. Based in Singapore, Raffles has earned a reputation for its commitment to professional design education.
Raffles is relentless in its pursuit of quality, continually refining its standards to ensure that the name “Raffles” is synonymous with excellence. Seeking recognition and accreditation, the college is determined to demonstrate that the quality it upholds is genuine and unwavering. The institution is committed to providing top-tier education and enriching learning experiences that inspire students to achieve their fullest potential.
Sustainable Fashion Advocate Award – National Environment Agency
The National Environment Agency (NEA) stands at the forefront of Singapore’s efforts to maintain a pristine and sustainable environment. This dynamic public organization has a broad mandate, from keeping the streets clean and encouraging resource efficiency to upholding stringent public health standards and fostering a lively hawker scene. NEA also plays a critical role in providing accurate weather forecasts to the public.
To achieve its goals, NEA collaborates extensively with various partners and engages the local community to lead innovative environmental and public health projects. These collaborative efforts are essential for driving sustainability and ensuring that Singapore remains a vibrant and healthy place to live.
Sustainable Fashion Brand of The Year Award – Sui
SUI, a conscious fashion label with roots in India and Singapore, draws inspiration from the Hindi word for “needle.” In their hands, this simple tool becomes a symbol of connection. Just as a needle joins thread to fabric, creating beautiful garments, SUI seeks to weave the threads of nature into the fabric of fashion.
Their approach to fashion is guided by a “green heart”—a commitment to honouring the environment and respecting the artisans who create their clothing. This philosophy drives them to produce garments that are versatile, low-impact, and steeped in sustainability.
SUI aims to raise awareness about the importance of conscious fashion. They believe that it can be engaging, beautiful, and impactful while ensuring that everyone involved in the process is treated like family. By bringing together nature and fashion, SUI strives to create clothing that not only looks good but also feels good to wear.
Again, congratulations to all winners and let’s continue to never let sustainability go out of style