Designskolen Kolding + Manteco Academy's 2025 MANTECO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Clara Gauguin and Sabine Olifent won the 2025 Manteco Academy's MANTECO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
As with every competition we organize in collaboration with Kolding Design School, choosing a winner is never an easy task. This year, the decision was particularly challenging, so we decided to think outside the box and award not one, but two winners. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Clara Gauguin and Sabine Olifent on their outstanding achievements. Both projects represent the future of fashion—where creativity and responsibility go hand in hand. We are proud to support and celebrate such remarkable talent.
"RE-VERSIBLE. RE-CYCLABLE. RE-WEARABLE" by Clara Gauguin - A reversible jacket is designed to last longer and be fully recyclable - making it both the stylish and sustainable choice for your wardrobe
As the design has it, “I’m deeply committed to extending the lifespan of clothing and being part of creating a more sustainable future through circular production. That’s why I’ve created a jacket designed not only to last longer but also to be fully recyclable when its time has passed. The jacket is made of 100% wool, which makes it fully recyclable. The jacket contains no fillers or inner linings that could complicate the recycling process. Instead, I’ve added red bias tape on all the raw edges, which serves as a guide during recycling, indicating where polyester threads should be cut off. I believe that we’re more likely to keep our clothes when we are able to use it in different and new ways, and therefore having it continuously sparking our curiosity. That’s why I’ve made the jacket reversible, allowing you to easily change your look. It’s a 2-in-1 design, offering both a elegant and modern design. The outer side features a elegant and timeless design in warm chestnut brown, with beautiful pre-loved sliver closures. The inside presents a more modern and colorful design, with a red line created by the bias tape, that contrasts with the brown, highlighting the jacket’s sculptural seams and adding organics shapes to the look.”
"The Art of Play: Fashion Meets Fun" by Sabine Olifent - A multifunctional, interactive and customizable jacket
As the designer has it, “In my design, my goal was to infuse a sense of childlike fun into the garment. In daily life, many people overlook the joy of what they wear, treating clothing as purely functional or routine. I wanted to give my potential user the opportunity to experience excitement every time they put on this coat and while wearing it throughout the day. The jacket is multifunctional, featuring detachable bottom pieces that make it interactive and customizable. By incorporating a “skirt” element at the bottom, I aimed to evoke an immediate feeling of wanting to swing or dance—a playful sense of happiness that comes alive as soon as it’s worn. In today’s fast-paced world, where busy lives often overshadow moments of enjoyment, this jacket serves as a spark of positivity for the wearer and those around them. Its intricate details and vibrant patterns invite curiosity and discovery, encouraging the wearer to appreciate it more deeply over time. In this way, the coat not only becomes a joyful experience but also fosters a long-lasting relationship with the wardrobe, standing out as a piece to cherish.”
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