At a time when the global fashion industry faces increasing pressure to embrace sustainability, the CTF Award recognises designers who are leading the charge towards responsible innovation. Petra’s winning designs, created in collaboration with her CTF Award Innovation Partner, Sappi Verve, exemplify the importance of conscious material choices in shaping the future of fashion. As part of her victory, she received a cash prize of $10,000.
Sappi congratulates Petra Fagerström, winner of the 2025 Challenge the Fabric Award, for her innovative, sustainable fashion designs using Verve fibre.
Originally from Sweden and now in London, Petra impressed with her creative vision and eco-conscious approach, showing how responsible material choices can shape a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.
Reflecting on her experience, Petra shared, “I enjoyed the challenge of working with fabric made from Verve fibre. As a designer, I draw inspiration from the world around me and enjoy delving deeper into areas that spark my interest.” She embraced the opportunity to work with innovative textile solutions that enhance recyclability and reduce textile waste, and she is eager to further explore advancements in sustainable fashion.
Competing against a strong lineup of finalists from the fashion capitals of London, Paris, and New York, Petra stood out for her ability to merge sustainability with creative excellence. The jury of industry professionals praised her work, stating, “Petra’s design demonstrated exceptional strength across all criteria: innovation, creativity, scalability of design culture, and commercial potential. Her approach was authentic and forward-thinking, aligning with emerging trends while maintaining a distinct creative vision. The commercial viability of her work was clear, proving that sustainability and creativity can successfully coexist in modern fashion.”
The CTF 2025 event in Milan welcomed around 180 industry stakeholders, including designers, retailers, and textile producers, all invested in advancing man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCF) as a viable alternative to conventional textiles. With growing scrutiny on fast fashion’s environmental footprint, responsible fibre innovation has become a central focus in discussions about the industry’s future.
As one of the official sponsors of CTF 2025, Sappi reaffirmed its commitment to driving meaningful change through sustainable material development. Sappi Verve dissolving wood pulp continues to play a pivotal role in the evolution of traceable, eco-conscious fabrics, supporting the industry’s broader transition towards circularity. Sappi’s collaboration with Kara Fiber, which supplied the final Ecocell™ fabric for Petra’s designs, further underscores its dedication to fostering innovation in textile production.
Bernhard Riegler, VP Marketing, Sappi Dissolving Wood Pulp, expressed his enthusiasm for Petra’s achievement, stating, “We are incredibly proud to see Petra Fagerström embrace the possibilities of Verve fibre and bring her vision to life in such a compelling way. Her commitment to sustainability and innovation is exactly what the industry needs right now. The transformation of the fashion sector depends on responsible material choices, and seeing designers like Petra champion this cause gives us confidence that lasting change is on the horizon.”
As the fashion industry accelerates its shift towards environmentally responsible production, initiatives like the CTF Award play a vital role in fostering dialogue and driving meaningful progress. As Petra embarks on her next projects, Sappi remains committed to supporting designers who are redefining fashion for a more sustainable future—where material choices make a lasting impact beyond the runway.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)