Selyn Handlooms SL enters into new educational partnership with Redress

Redress Design Award 2021 Alumni Prize with Kipling winner Grace Lant 

Redress, leading global sustainability organisation, collaborated with Selyn, Sri Lanka’s leading and only fair-trade handloom manufacturer to develop a critical educational case study that explores sustainability within the handloom and craft sector, taking Sri Lanka’s handloom and artisans to a global level.

Redress is an international environmental charity with a mission to prevent and transform textile waste to catalyse a circular economy and reduce fashion's water, chemical and carbon footprints. The programs work to change mindsets and practices to stop the creation of textile waste now and in the future, as well as creating systems and partnerships that generate and showcase value in existing waste. 

This international movement for sustainable fashion starts by educating all key players in the ecosystem of fashion with a main focus on  students who are the future leaders of this industry. Now more than ever, it is vital to ensure the next generation of designers who are entering the industry are fully aware and educated on the role they play in ensuring ethical and fair practices in the industry. This extends to not just choosing the right organic or sustainably sourced material or zero waste design methods, but also thinking about the social human and environmental impact.

“Everyone has a part to play to ensure the shift needed in the textiles and fashion industry from consumers to designers, retailers to manufacturers. Selyn has long admired the work and dedication from Redress to inspire and educate designers to truly think and embrace sustainability. 

“We were honoured to be invited to support Redress to bring to light challenges faced in order to ensure ethical and sustainable practices in the industry and to also furthermore share insights into how our fair trade/purpose-led model works. 

“Given Sri Lanka’s unique position in global ethical manufacturing many of our young designers will go into key roles of production, sourcing and design and therefore we see a vital link in bringing this level of exposure to the country,” says Selyn Business Development Director Selyna Peiris.

“The fashion industry urgently needs to adopt circular models, and this starts with educating the next generation of designers about sustainable and circular design strategies. The collaboration between institutions and industry players, like Selyn, is crucial to ensure designers learn the skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the industry needs,” said Redress Education Director Morgane Parizot.

Ensuring the message is delivered and shared with all future designers, Redress and Selyn will be hosting a launch and introduction session to all design schools of Sri Lanka along with inviting key international educational partners.

Stay tuned on the Selyn Facebook and Instagram page to attend the virtual launch event on 18 October at 2:30 p.m.  Contact [email protected] for further information on the event.