Scottish fashion designers encouraged to apply for textile fund to aid circular economy

The Circular Economy Textiles and Apparel Grant Fund was launched last November. Textile designers in Scotland will be able to apply for up to £5,000 each and successful applicants will also receive mentoring from “an industry expert”.

Zero Waste Scotland hopes that the fund will encourage Scottish designers to adopt sustainable design methods, such as zero-waste pattern design.

The organisation also hopes that designers will produce clothes that can be easily disassembled and repurposed and use closed-loop textiles made from recycled materials.

According to the organisation, this fund will help designers to adopt innovative methods for a “more circular economy”.

The funding is open to textile and apparel designers with a minimum of two years professional experience across performance, technical textiles and clothing, fashion and couture. Designers have until 31 January to apply for the funding.

‘A great heritage’
Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said that the Scottish textiles industry “has a great heritage” and that this fund will “encourage ideas to ensure the sector grows sustainably”.

He added: “We know from recent research that there are currently no truly circular textile products or services in Scotland, but that the characteristics of our country’s textile industry – heritage, provenance, durability, globally recognised quality manufacturing and production make it well placed to develop new ideas.

“This is a therefore a great opportunity for designers to play a leading role in identifying new innovative products and services for Scotland which could demonstrate how the sector can become truly circular in the future.”

Liz Gyekye