How Redress Alumni have been rising to the challenge to accelerate fashion’s circularity
15 years of the Redress Design Award isn’t just a milestone—it’s a testament to the designers who’ve turned fashion’s biggest hurdles into their boldest opportunities. This year, as we celebrate ‘Rising to the Challenge’, we’re spotlighting competition alumni like Jesse Lee: fashion game-changers who’ve proven that circular fashion isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
Discover how the Redress Alumni Network fueled Jesse’s growth, the projects that turned waste into wonder, and why the next 15 years depend on designers like him stepping up.
Can you share a project or collection that directly addresses circular fashion, and what measurable impact it’s had?
The 'A NEW KIND OF MAN!' collection was my tribute to Hong Kong’s garment industry heritage.
By sourcing irregular samples and deadstock fabrics, we demonstrated how overlooked materials could be reinvented into powerful contemporary designs—blending sustainability with strong visual storytelling.
How do you balance sustainability with desirability in your designs, and what myths are you working to debunk?
By approaching sustainability as a creative catalyst rather than a constraint. Techniques like distressed quilting with textile waste or intentional 'imperfections' become design signatures, proving environmental responsibility can coexist with strong aesthetic appeal.
What’s been the most rewarding milestone in your career since Redress, and how did the competition prepare you for it?
Redress fundamentally shifted my perspective, transforming me from a designer into an advocate for circular fashion. What stays with me most are the meaningful connections formed with fellow change-makers—proof that collective effort drives real industry progress.
What’s a major hurdle you’ve faced in sustainable fashion, and how did Redress help you navigate it?
Initially, the greatest challenge was moving circular design beyond niche acceptance. Through Redress, I gained the strategic tools to demonstrate its viability, turning skepticism into collaboration. Today, even traditional manufacturers champion our zero-waste techniques, recognising their creative and commercial potential.
What’s one design principle from Redress that still guides your approach to waste reduction today?
'Closed loops, open stories' remains my guiding philosophy—creating garments engineered for longevity while honouring their evolving narratives. My Redress experience taught me that true circularity lives in this balance between technical precision and human connection.
How has the Redress Alumni Network supported your growth as a sustainable fashion designer, and what’s one key opportunity it provided to scale your impact?
Standing on that Redress stage in 2018, presenting upcycled family heirlooms, I realised this was more than a competition—it was the beginning of a lifelong community. The Redress Alumni Network has been instrumental, connecting me with mentors who deepened my technical expertise and peers who share this commitment to material transformation. Their support gave me the confidence to keep pushing boundaries in circular design.
Looking back at your Redress experience, how has the sustainable fashion conversation evolved—and what role will Redress and its alumni play in the next 15 years?
We’ve witnessed a profound shift—from marginal concern to central industry priority. Redress played a pivotal role in reframing the narrative from reduction to innovation, and I’m honoured to contribute through both design practice and education with our Redress family!