Photo Credit @Nicholas-lim-pexels

Unleash Your Creativity: Corethics Sustainable Fashion Design Challenge Now Open for Entries

Calling all aspiring fashion designers, visionaries, environmentalists, and crafty folk!  Newcastle-based charity Corethics is offering a platform for talent to showcase their creativity and make their mark on the fashion world. 

Corethics is working in collaboration with GPT group to create The Sustainable Fashion Design Challenge, giving participants a chance to win $500. Shortlisted designs are to be exhibited at Charlestown Square next year, then auctioned at the Corethics Gala event. All proceeds will go towards funding Corethics’ Waste4Wealth project, dedicated to improving waterways and community life in Bali, Indonesia. The competition invites people of all ages, skills, and backgrounds to participate and transform their innovative ideas into reality.

Sustainability is the key theme of the competition. Designers are required to create an original design of a garment (clothes, shoes, jewellery, accessories, etc)  made from 100% recycled or sustainable materials, incorporating the theme of Water, Bali or Indigo. 

How to Participate:

Interested designers can submit their entries via email before midnight on the 24th of September 2023 to [email protected], Submissions should include sketches or photos of the design, the participant's name and contact details, and a brief description of the concept. 

August 2023. Newcastle Charity, Corethics have announced their inaugural gala evening, “Indigo” to be held in March 2024. The event is expected to attract interest from water industry professionals and those with an interest in the plight for global sustainability. Proceeds from the event will support the implementation of treatment solutions, education and ongoing operational support for textiles wastewater treatment across Bali through Corethics’ #waste4wealth project.

“Toxic wastewater is being discharged into Tukad Badung (river) from more than 50 local textiles factories in Denpasar, Bali. This remains a significant problem for local communities who rely on the river for daily washing, bathing, domestic watering and food production.” says Marnie Coates, Principal Engineer and Director of Corethics,  “Workers in these small factories are often faced with economic, educational, and regulatory barriers and are living on the edge of poverty. Practical, low-cost treatment solutions are urgently required to improve the outlook for those who rely on the river for basic needs and for the long-term sustainability of the Indonesian textiles industry”

Corethics will be seeking corporate sponsorship for the Gala event in the coming months, with tickets available for general purchase from December. “It’s going to be an industry event that people can feel good about. Come along for a night of great food and entertainment and leave knowing that you’ve made a real difference for our much-loved neighbours in Bali” 

For further media information,

Contact: Marnie Coates - [email protected]

Marnie Coates is a chemical engineer and Board Director for Corethics. Corethics is an independent, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organisation established to create thriving and sustainable communities in the developing world. Their #waste4wealth addresses pollution from the textiles industry through education and driving community-led, ethical action. Corethics’ work contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 6, 12 and 17. www.corethics.net Facebook/Instagram/YouTube @Corethics

Corethics will be closed from Monday, 25th December 2023, to Friday, 5th January 2024, returning Monday, 8th January 2024.

We wish you and your family a safe and joyous festive season.

On the 5th of October 2022, Newcastle-based charity Corethics announced its newly formed advisory board, which aims to guide the transformation and growth of Corethics. 

Six exceptional individuals have been selected from Australia, Indonesia, Africa, and Europe who bring their expertise across key sectors in which we currently and foresee our operations in water, engineering, marketing, community development, education, youth, and women's rights. Steve Adamthwaite, Caroline Mbi-njifor, Peter Burgess, Lisa Rebert, Dan Lambert, and Reni Lestari make up the impressive team. 

Their full profiles and contact details can be viewed here. 

Lisa Rebert, the creative and pioneering force behind World Alchemists and EditingNL, brings her experience with branding, strategy,  digital communications, and storytelling in the fields of international advocacy and health. Reni Lestari’s senior management experiences come from her background as a consultant in the areas of community development, project management and strategic partnership. Both have experience working in Indonesia, with Reni hailing from Java.

Steve Adamthwaithe holds strategic leadership positions with organisations like WaterAid NSW and Engineers Australia. As the head of Arup’s NSW/ACT Water Business, Steve creates water strategies focused on sustainable and community-oriented solutions.  Daniel Lambert has an extensive leadership portfolio in project delivery and industry within Australia and across the world in areas of water, energy and resource management. He has held advisory positions in organisations such as Australian Water Partnership and University of New South Wales. 

Caroline Mbi-njifor’s leadership experience comes from 20 years of work as a businesswoman and leader in the sectors of health, development and business in Africa. Peter Burgess has worked in academic, industrial, government and corporate roles in organisations such as AusAID, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. He has also held academic, governance and advisory positions on boards of numerous tertiary institutes in Asia as well as the US and Australia.