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 Magdalena Malbrán: fashion game-changers who are proving that circular fashion isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
Discover how the Redress Alumni Network fueled Magdalena’s growth, the projects that turned waste into wonder, and why the next 15 years depend on designers like her stepping up.
Can you share a project or collection that directly addresses circular fashion, and what measurable impact it’s had?
Yes! I work in a super hands-on and artisanal way — I cut and sew every dress myself, which helps me control and reduce fabric waste from the start. I save every leftover piece, no matter how small, and use it later for linings, details, or even to start new designs. It’s definitely a lot of work — and sometimes people tell me: ‘But that way you’re going to earn less!’ Still, I’ve stayed true to this path, because I really believe in making fashion in a more mindful and responsible way. But it’s not just about the dresses — I also use leftover scraps from my studio in sewing workshops I run at Centro Barrial Santa Rafaela y Pilar, a community centre that supports people who have experienced homelessness. We use the fabric to teach basic sewing skills, share stories, and create a supportive space for learning and expression.
How do you balance sustainability with desirability in your designs, and what myths are you working to debunk?
In my work, I show that we can reuse materials, reduce waste, and still create delicate, sophisticated garments that people fall in love with. By working closely with clients, I make them part of the story behind the piece — and I’ve found that people really value that connection. They don’t just want a dress — they want meaning, care, and uniqueness. Sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing beauty or style. It’s actually an opportunity to be more intentional and creative.
What’s been the most rewarding milestone in your career since Redress, and how did the competition prepare you for it?
Taking part in the Redress Design Award competition and staying connected with the community afterwards really helped me shape this path of creating my own brand. It gave me the confidence to build a brand rooted in circular fashion and responsible production, pushing me to believe that even in a small, artisanal context, it’s possible to have a meaningful impact.
What’s a major hurdle you’ve faced in sustainable fashion, and how did Redress help you navigate it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is trying to grow a sustainable brand while living far away from major fashion hubs. I’m based in Buenos Aires, and sometimes it feels a bit isolating — it’s not easy to connect with others who are working in the same direction, and opportunities can feel limited from here. That’s why staying connected to the Redress Alumni Network has been so helpful. It reminds me that I’m not alone in this path, and gives me access to a global community that shares similar values. Even just reading about what other alumni are doing inspires me to keep going and trust my process.
What’s one design principle from Redress that still guides your approach to waste reduction today?
One of the biggest things I learned from participating in the Redress Design Award is that sustainable fashion isn’t just about recycling — it’s much broader than that. It opened my eyes to many different ways of reducing textile waste: from zero-waste pattern-cutting, to reusing leftover fabric in creative ways, to incorporating vintage materials into my collections. It also helped me understand how to make more thoughtful design decisions from the beginning of the process — like how to use the full width of fabric, or how to plan for reusability and circularity. And one of the most valuable things was being exposed to other designers working with similar techniques. Seeing their work really inspired me and gave me new ideas for my own practice.
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?
I was selected as a Semi-finalist in 2014. At that time, I was living in Paris, France, and the following year I moved back to my home country, Argentina. It wasn’t an easy transition personally, so having access to the Redress Alumni Network and staying connected with the team felt incredibly positive and supportive during that period of change.
In 2020, during the pandemic, I had the opportunity to send my collection for an exhibition and runway show organised by Redress for the alumni. Although I wasn’t able to travel, this experience allowed me to showcase my work internationally — in a place I wouldn’t have reached otherwise — and gave me visibility and valuable international exposure.
Most recently, I applied for the chance to attend the SDG Media Zone at the United Nations General Assembly. Although I wasn’t selected, my profile was published on the official UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network platform, and just being part of the application process gave me more professional experience and visibility at a global level.
Thanks to Redress, I’ve gained meaningful international opportunities that have helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I truly value the ongoing support and network they provide.
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?
Since I first competed in 2014, I’ve seen a big shift in how we talk about sustainable fashion. Back then, it still felt very niche, something only a few designers were really exploring, but today it’s a central topic. In the future, I see this competition trending, and Redress Alumni at the centre of fashion business.