This past April, we launched one of our most ambitious initiatives yet: a global design challenge to reimagine luxury through the lens of sustainable innovation.
With ELEVATE—our plant-based, plastic-free material—as the foundation, the Design the Future competition invited visionary creatives from around the world to submit original concepts in fashion, accessories and footwear.
The challenge? To show how next-generation biomaterials can inspire meaningful, beautiful, and scalable design—without compromise.
A Global Response with Shared Purpose
In just a few weeks, we received submissions from dozens of countries—each one offering a bold take on what it means to design with both performance and responsibility in mind.
On June 2, our expert jury selected 10 finalists, each chosen for their creativity, vision and commitment to conscious creation.
Representing:
India
United States
Colombia
United Kingdom
Argentina
Ireland
Spain
Singapore
Each finalist received a sample of ELEVATE to begin prototyping their design, and we can’t wait to share the results.
Industry Leaders, United Around a Mission
The finalists were reviewed by a panel of sustainability pioneers, design educators and innovation experts:
- Chelsea Franklin – Head of Advanced Concepts at PANGAIA
- Claire Weiss – Head of Innovation, Future Fabrics Expo
- Melina Bucher – Sustainable fashion designer and professor
- Annick Ireland – Co-Founder, Immaculate Vegan
- John B. – Director, Parsons School of Design
- Stephanie Downs – CEO & Co-Founder, Uncaged Innovations
Their insights helped spotlight entries with real-world potential—and real impact.
What Comes Next?
The finalists are now developing their prototypes using ELEVATE with the support of our team. The winner will receive:
- Mentorship from our CEO and other experts in fashion and venture capital
- Coaching from designer Melina Bucher on production and scaling
- Visibility across Uncaged’s global platforms and partner channels
The winning design will be announced soon—representing not just a single product, but a shared vision for where material innovation can go next.
Stay tuned.