For the second time, the non-profit federal foundation COMÚN and the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) have announced the “Vivienne”, the Austrian prize for ecological textiles – the first place winners have now been given a ceremonial award. As part of a ceremony at the Climate Protection Ministry, COMÚN chairwoman Veronika Bohrn Mena and BMK section leader Christian Holzer presented the certificates and prizes.
In three categories, the top three winners from dozens of entries were invited; as a sign of recognition, they all received a certificate and the tactile prize, a framed embroidery with the “Vivienne” motif from HERKA Frottier. There was also prize money of 4,000 euros for the jury prize, 2,000 euros for the audience prize and 1,000 euros for the youth prize.
“Vivienne” will be a complete success again in 2024
„Dozens submitted and thousands took part in the voting – “Vivienne” was a complete success again this year! We are pleased that we were able to provide an impetus for ecological fashion and bring such great projects to the forefront. Austria has a great textile history and it just needs the right framework conditions to ensure a similar future. In any case, there is no lack of creativity and innovation“, with Veronika Bohrn Mena.
Christian Holzer, Head of the Environment and Circular Economy Section in the Climate Protection Ministry: “The textile industry has massive negative impacts on the environment and climate. It is responsible for over 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and a third of the total input of microplastics into the world’s oceans. We also have a huge amount of textile waste and large quantities of unsold textiles are destroyed. In the Austrian circular economy strategy, the BMK sets out a clear path for sustainable production and consumption in order to establish a resource-saving, innovative, circular and competitive textile industry. We need more sustainable production in this area and the Vivienne Prize winners show how this can be put into practice.”
Jury prize for “intuism.crafts” from Tyrol
The Tyrolean label was able to win in the “Vivienne” main category, in which an expert jury decided on the ranking intuism.crafts by Stephanie Höcker: “intuism.crafts offers a unique combination of sustainable fashion and practical educational opportunities. Through local production, transparent processes and commitment to sustainability, they create a brand that meets both the needs of consumers and the demands of the planet. They rely on complete transparency in the supply chain – from the procurement of raw materials to the finished product.”
The Viennese label achieved second place in this category garage with its fashion line upstyle@garbarage, third place went to the Burgenland label earthtree – inspired by nature.
Audience Award to Gerald Brandstätter
Designer Gerald Brandstätter was recognized as first in the Audience Prize category. The graduate of the Hallein Fashion School impressed with his collection “Why are we so rude (recycleing)“ the audience: “Discarded clothing, cutting waste, production waste and seemingly useless leftovers become valuable raw materials. In various stages of “dissolution” they are cut up, separated and shredded. The use of the natural and skin-friendly binder alginate then enables the transformation into new textile surfaces.”
The Upper Austrian fashion designer Marlene Göntgen alias MAGOË came in second place, and the label REFISHED from Vienna was voted by the audience in third place.
Youth Prize goes to KMD Herbststrasse
Finally, as in the previous year, the Herbststrasse fashion school was able to win the youth award, although it faced tough competition from various federal states. The 4th year of the upper level II of the KMD Herbststraße Art/Textile impressed with the ANTI FAST FASHION collection: “Our goal is to both raise awareness of environmental issues and convey the joy of creative and sustainable fashion.” The Anti-Fast Fashion Statement collection emerged from intensive research into students’ consumer behavior and engagement with the SDG Goals in class.”
Julia Jaklin took second place in this category with her collection “Biophilia” and the jury chose 4HM from the Higher Fashion School of the City of Wiener Neustadt with her collection “Sustained Rebel” in third place.