Unique collaboration between the UN and the Swedish School of Textiles
2024-05-31
The tour guides who show the UN headquarters in New York City to everyone from world leaders to school classes have been wearing clothes from specially designed collections since 1952. In the past, internationally recognised fashion houses such as Dior and Benetton have been responsible for the designs; the latest collection was created in 2017 by the renowned designer Elie Tahari.
For the first time ever, a higher education institution is now responsible for the guide clothes’ design – the Swedish School of Textiles, with its world-leading design programmes.
Since 2018, the Swedish government has given the University of Borås the task of establishing and developing a national platform for sustainable fashion and textiles and it has supported this current collaboration as well. Through its collaboration with the UN, the Swedish School of Textiles can now further lead the way in the transition towards a more sustainable fashion industry.
The UN sees collaboration as a driving force
Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the UN Office for Partnerships said, “Partnerships are the driving force behind the Sustainable Development Goals, converting shared goals into transformative action. Our collaboration with the young creatives of the Swedish School of Textiles on sustainable clothing for the UN tour guides is a prime example: It not only raises awareness about global sustainability challenges but also offers tangible solutions, all while putting a premium on partnerships. This is precisely what we need to deliver the promise of the Global Goals!”
Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division in the UN Department of Global Communications, added that the “UN Tour Guides are our ambassadors to those who visit the United Nations and when it comes to creating a positive impression, their clothing is just as important as their knowledge. We are therefore very grateful that the Swedish School of Textiles is collaborating with the UN to design and produce a fresh new look for our tour guides,” he said. “We are particularly pleased to hear that the collection will be characterised by sustainability in line with our commitment to the global goals for sustainable development," he concluded.
A showcase for Sweden's work in sustainability and innovation
Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell (M) said, “I am extremely pleased that Sweden and the Swedish School of Textiles have been given this honourable role. It is especially gladdening that we now have the opportunity to showcase our areas of strength – innovation and sustainability – in an elegant design, through the fashion designers of the future. The UN in New York will be a fantastic showcase for the many years that the clothes will be used – an excellent contribution to a positive image of Sweden that will awaken interest in our country among the millions of people who visit the UN headquarters.”
Designing together with a basis in the UN's sustainability goals
Around twenty design students have now been working to design and develop the collection together under the supervision of the Department of Design at the Swedish School of Textiles in a freestanding course.
“This is a unique collaboration with the UN and we are very honoured and proud to be the first higher education institution ever to be responsible for the design of the tour guide clothes. We look forward to the opportunity to show the world that our design education programmes and design students are of an incredibly high level. It is fantastic that the students have developed this design together in a collaborative spirit and in line with the UN’s sustainability goals, two perspectives that we at the university are passionate about. Through this, we can together draw the world's attention to a very important global issue: sustainability in the fashion industry," said Mats Tinnsten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Borås.
The project is ongoing – the collection will be launched in April 2025
The work involves a large project group and the project started in November 2023 after which the design process began in February 2024. The collection will be launched on Earth Day, 22 April 2025, with a fashion show at UN headquarters in New York City. An event is also planned together with the Consulate-General of Sweden with a presentation at the official Swedish residence, also in New York City.
Facts
This collaboration was initiated by the UN and Sofia Hedström de Leo, Board Member of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network and former Head of Sustainability at the Consulate General of Sweden in New York.
The overall governance and management of the project is done by the Swedish School of Textiles and the work involves a large project team, working closely with its partners.
This project is financed by the University of Borås and the “Paul Frankenius Foundation for the Swedish University of Fashion & Textiles” with support from the Government of Sweden.
About the Swedish School of Textiles
The Swedish School of Textiles at the University of Borås dates back to when Borås was the hub of the Swedish textile industry. As early as 1866, the first textile education programme started at Borås Technical Weaving School – the foundation of what is today the Swedish School of Textiles: an internationally leading institution for the education and development of textiles and fashion.
The Swedish School of Textiles has unique expertise, research, and education in textile and fashion design, textile technology, and textile management. There are also fantastic lab environments. Our textile environment is located in the Textile Fashion Center in Borås, a textile hub that brings together education, business and industry, and innovation under the same roof.
Visit the Swedish School of Textiles' website
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Anna Kjellsson, translation: Eva Medin
Ola Kjelbye. Video: Erik Norving