The Faroe Islands are a self-governing country within the Kingdom of Denmark. Home to just 50,000 people, it’s fast earning a reputation as a must-see travel destination for its untouched natural environment and breath-taking archipelago that brings together fresh air, blue ocean and magnificent mountain cliffs.
Last month, the Faroe Islands hosted the Blue Fashion Challenge which brought the international fashion scene to its shores. Nordic and North Atlantic fashion designers – two from Norway, two from Faroe Islands, one from Greenland, and one from Åland, Denmark and Finland – the judging panel and their guests descended on the remote Islands to compete in a sustainable fashion design contest.
It challenged designers to create unique designs using the country’s bio-marine materials; byproducts and waste from its fishing industry such as fish leather, seaweed jersey and seal skin.
This was a wonderful opportunity for participants to find inspiration in the unique environment whilst creating innovative and impactful designs using natural materials. They were given the opportunity to explore the Islands before spending the rest of the week sewing their designs.
They weren’t just thrown in the deep end either. The designers also got the chance to learn from sustainability experts such as Suzi Christoffersen, the founder of Closed Loop, about the bio textiles and how to bring sustainability into their design practices.
It wasn’t all work; there was plenty of time for play. The designers indulged in Faroese traditional food and culture, embarked on sight-seeing tours to some of the Islands’ iconic locations and even had international fashion photographer Tommy Ton capture their spectacular eco designs on stunning models.
As a proud media partner, we are delighted to share this exclusive collection of photos shot at this year’s Blue Fashion Challenge supplied by Green Exchange.
We may just add the Faroe Islands to our eco travel bucket list too!
