The United Nations and the Swedish School of Textiles have collaborated to create a new range of Tour Guide uniforms that will revolutionize sustainable fashion. This groundbreaking collaboration marks the first time a higher education institution has designed uniforms for the United Nations headquarters in New York.
About 20 students from the Swedish School of Textiles are putting a lot of effort into creating the new line, which aims to combine sustainability with high fashion, to be shown at a fashion show on April 22 before being officially adopted by UN Tour Guides.
While meeting the strict requirements set by the UN, their designs seek to embody the values of sustainability. These cutting-edge outfits, which will soon be worn by tour guides who welcome more than 200,000 guests annually, will be displayed at the UN Headquarters during the next fashion show.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed highlighted the significance of the project: “The UN Tour Guides are the first faces millions of visitors see when they come to the United Nations, bringing to life our work for a better future for all. Their new sustainably made uniforms designed by young people are more than just fabric — they embody our commitment to sustainability and the power of youth to drive change.”
In addition to the Swedish Government’s support and funding from the Paul Frankenius Foundation for the Swedish University of Fashion & Textiles and the University of Borås, the UN Department of Global Communications and the UN Office for Partnerships collaborated to make this ground-breaking project possible.
Mats Tinnsten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Borås, emphasized the role of the Swedish School of Textiles in the global fashion landscape: “This collection confirms that the Swedish School of Textiles is one of the best fashion schools in the world. I am incredibly proud of the students and the project team who have worked so hard. Through this project and our expertise, we can show the world that it is possible to create sustainable fashion. This collection is fully in line with the university’s values: togetherness, sustainability and innovation.”
