Microsoft has announced a partnership with youth sustainable fashion competition, Junk Kouture, to support their shared mission to raise awareness and educate the next generation about circular systems in fashion, as well as celebrating solutions where technology and creativity work together to help drive change in the industry. 

The competition focuses on creating the circular engineers of tomorrow, by taking junk and applying creativity and innovation to make garments suited for a fashion runway.  

The new partnership will see Microsoft and Junk Kouture collaborate to develop masterclasses that can be viewed on Microsoft’s Flip platform, a discussion app to share videos and build communities by learning together. Microsoft Flip will be the primary platform to connect masterclass experts from the world of fashion and sustainability with the global creative community of educators and students.   

“Microsoft and Junk Kouture share a vision to empower the next generation and encourage future circular engineers through connected education,” says Maruschka Loubser, director, global brand partnerships, Microsoft. “Our technology allies with Junk Kouture’s mission and enables accessible information for students across the globe, no matter where they are. As a brand, Microsoft has a strong foundation in supporting, and empowering people and organizations in the fashion industry – to inspire creativity and innovation and build a more inclusive and sustainable future.”  

Related:Deloitte and Junk Kouture Announce Global Collaboration

Microsoft’s campaign will showcase designs from the 2022 program and connect these to important topics and themes of the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) that are a priority for Junk Kouture. Content including student masterclasses will be released monthly from February to June and will cover:    

In addition to the masterclasses, Microsoft will support a new awards category within the competition – the Microsoft STEAM Award – to be given out at the 2023 World Final of Junk Kouture later this year. The award will be presented to the design and designers that best integrate elements of STEAM into their work.   

“Young people can often feel helpless in the face of the climate crisis and that’s why at Junk Kouture, we give them a global platform and the tools to use their voice and the creative outlet to showcase their solutions,” says Troy Armour, chief executive officer and founder, Junk Kouture. “Our ambition is to reach one billion young people over the next 10 years, generating lasting behavioral change through creativity and education content around STEAM and sustainability that impacts our planet’s future along the way. We create the next generation of changemakers, and that’s why it is vital for us to collaborate with the right partners like Microsoft, that not only align with our vision and values but have the global experience to help us achieve this ambition. We are excited to have the team at Microsoft join us on this exciting journey.”