Viktoria & Woods founder Margie Woods will oversee a new sustainability-led design challenge integrated into the RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles' curriculum.
The program dubbed 'Design Driven' is backed by Mazda and celebrates the launch of its first MX-30 model which features sustainable materials.
Students involved in the challenge will take inspiration from the design techniques and fabrics used in the car - including vegan leather, heritage cork, and repurposed plastic waste - to create pieces that are innovative, sustainable and fashion forward.
With sustainability at the core of Viktoria & Woods, founder Margie Woods said she is excited to teach the next generation how to offer sustainable products to the market.
"Designers have a responsibility to maintain a passion and interest in creating sustainable products, as a direct response to what consumers are searching for.
"Creating a conscious brand has always been at the heart of Viktoria & Woods, so I am thrilled to be able to work with up-and-coming designers to show them how sustainability is accessible and able to remain fashionable," she said.
Embedded within the ‘Advanced Fashion Materials, Techniques and Expressions’ course, students from RMIT’s Bachelor of Fashion (Design)(Honours), Bachelor of Textile (Design)(Honours), and Master of Fashion (Design) programs will be involved.
At the end of the semester, one student will be selected as the overall challenge winner and awarded the Mazda Design Award.
Judging will consider the sustainable processes utilised as well as the student prototypes overall look and design.
The students' work will be reviewed and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; a set of 17 global goals that are designed to be a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.
The winning student will be awarded a trip to Mazda’s Japan headquarters to experience a mentorship experience with Mazda’s global design chief, Ikuo Maeda.