The Final Ceremony of ISKO I-SKOOL 5: A glimpse into denim’s future
Finalists of the fifth ISKO I-SKOOL, the educational platform hosted by Turkish mill ISKO, gathered in July at Milan’s industrial event space BASE for workshops and a final award ceremony.
This year’s theme, Undocumented, captured the mood of an industry seeking to drive sustainability, equality, creativity and flexibility at a time when the world needs it all. It was a glimpse into the future of denim, as finalists unveiled garments made from Isko denim in a high-end curated fashion show July 12.
ISKO I-SKOOL challenged fashion students from around the world to “imagine a responsible and positive vision of the future” through denim. On July 10th and 11th, judges evaluated final projects in marketing and design, as students and tutors put away their smartphones and worked with 100% Authentic You to develop their soft skills and creativity.
According to ISKO, the UnDocumented awards were a tribute to creativity, talent and innovation, and a look at what’s ahead for denim.
“The concept represents the union between what was (Documented) and what will be, as well as the freedom of breaking geographical and physical boundaries, without feeling limited by constrictions,” ISKO said.
The Marketing Design Award challenge for the 12 final projects, was to launch a responsible line of clothing or accessories. Gina Paljusevic of the Parsons School of Fashion won the UnDocumented Award, and Amelie Sophie Amann of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI) won the International Sportswear Special.
The Design Award finalists, meanwhile, had been challenged to hew to the UnDocumented theme while also making clothes, using a selection of ISKO denims, with marketing potential and sustainable production at every stage.
Here’s a look at who won:
- UnDocumented Award: Jaeha Im, Esmod Seoul.
- Best Denim Showpiece: Zhuolin Cheng, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University.
- Certified Responsible Innovation Award: Nikita Sugiyanti Dompig, Amsterdam Fashion Institute.
- Sustainable Fibers Award using TENCEL™ Lyocell: Andrea Grossi, Polimoda.
- Reca Award: Nikita Sugiyanti Dompig, Amfi – Amsterdam Fashion Institute. Reca Group will produce labels, hangtags and packaging for the winner’s collection with a budget of €3,000.
- Lectra Award: Maria Capellaro, Naba. Lectra awards the winner with a Lectra software license and training.
- Sustainable & Circular Design: Lucila Nair Pieres, Instituto Marangoni. Riri Group awards the winner with a Riri backpack and one-year supply of zippers and buttons.
- Vogue Talents Special Mention: Rui Zhao, Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, whose outfit will be displayed at Vogue Talents event during Milan Fashion Week.
International experts in fashion, marketing and communication attended the finale, along with industry insiders and personalities, including Italian DJ, rock journalist and environmental activist Paola Maugeri, who provided the after-party’s soundscape. At the Grand Finale, Jeroen de Boer, founder of creative agency THE OLIFANTS, scratched a huge drawing on a large canvas made of ISKO Scratch & Jean™ denim. Shoes made of ISKO denim were exclusively provided by Peter Non, completing the 20 creative outfits on the Grand Finale catwalk.
Lenzing Group and Reca Group were the main sponsors of the awards. Supporting partners include Ctic, Eco-Age, Lectra, The Tailor Pattern Support, Riri Group, Cobrax And Tonello. Brand partners are 7 For All Mankind, Armedangels, Chong, Dondup, Freejoy, G-Star Raw, Jeanerica, Jun By Yo, Peter Non, Replay, and Roy Roger’s. And the media partner is Vogue Talents. These companies worked with and supported the students and many are granting internships to winners.