This year marks the launch of the Swarovski Foundation Re:Generation Innovation Scholar Award, which aims  to advance learning and innovative design thinking within sustainable systems – and the first recipient is Bailey Adams from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology.

“Our warmest congratulations go to Bailey Adams, who has been awarded the inaugural Re:Generation Innovation Scholarship for his elegant and sophisticated designs created using sustainable methods and materials,” Swarovski Foundation Chairperson Nadja Swarovski said. “The Swarovski Foundation is proud to partner with CFDA on this new award as part of our mission to foster creativity and drive progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. At this pivotal time, it is imperative to support emerging creatives who are working on new approaches to our sustainability challenges, and we commend all the shortlisted applicants for their innovative design thinking.”

Adams, of Giles County, Tennessee, takes an approach to sustainability that includes a focus to biodegradable materials with interest in carbon negative material innovations, and recoding sportswear with values of inclusive shapes, and timelessness.  Adams’ submission for the Re: Generation Innovation Scholar Award aimed to meaningfully address and attain these SDG Goals:  SDG 5 Gender Equity, SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.

The annual $30,000 scholarship features a fellowship opportunity and provides one annually selected student with meaningful mentorship to help them grow their exemplary potential to transform fashion through ingenuity.

“Creative ingenuity is a prerequisite for impactful innovation in sustainable and lasting change,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. “Through the Re: GENERATION Innovation Scholar Award, we look to students to imagine a new global and conscious fashion industry.”