From July 23 to 26, 2026, Panama City will host Sustainable Fashion of the World 2026, an international gathering that unites design, sustainability, education, and social innovation. The event will bring together designers, environmental advocates, academics, entrepreneurs, and young creatives from multiple countries, aiming to accelerate global conversations around sustainability, circularity, and the cultural power of fashion.
Organized by the Love for Upcycling Foundation, under the direction of its founder, Panamanian designer José Alexzander, the event is produced in collaboration with the School of Design at the University of Panama, Zero Waste Italy, and with the support of the Italian Society of Panama, the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), Copa Airlines, FiberGreen, and other organizations committed to sustainability, education, and cultural development.
With main venues at the Intercontinental Miramar Panama and the University of Panama, the program will feature keynote conferences, specialized workshops, cultural experiences, networking spaces, exhibitions, international runway shows, and cross‑sector dialogues designed to foster collaboration toward sustainable development.
Among the international guests are Rossano Ercolini, winner of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize, and Paul Connett, one of the most influential voices of the global Zero Waste movement. Both will participate in an academic program dedicated to environmental education, waste reduction, and the creation of more sustainable cities.
A central pillar of the event is the Zero Waste Challenge International, a global competition that promotes innovation, creativity, and environmental responsibility through sustainable fashion design. Throughout early 2026, partner organizations, universities, design schools, and industry leaders developed national chapters in Colombia, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, the United States, Barbados, Italy, the Netherlands, Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama. Each country has selected its official representative for the grand international final in Panama, where participants will compete for the title of Best Zero Waste Design 2026. Entries will be evaluated on creative excellence, innovation, waste reduction, material traceability, and alignment with circular economy principles.
As part of its commitment to circularity and community development, the event will also host the Circular Marketplace, a space dedicated to sustainable ventures, artisans, designers, and social impact projects. Among the invited participants is Jumara Juwa (“Las Manos de Todas”), a collective of Emberá women who preserve ancestral knowledge through responsible craftsmanship. Their presence will highlight the cultural, social, and economic value of Panama’s Indigenous communities, reinforcing the connection between sustainability, cultural identity, and local development.
Education is a fundamental pillar of Sustainable Fashion of the World 2026. Specialized workshops on sustainability, textile transformation, and circular economy have been developed for students of the University of Panama’s School of Design, strengthening the next generation of creative leaders.
Sustainable Fashion of the World 2026 will also promote inclusion through international runway shows that integrate participants from vulnerable communities. Thanks to partnerships with organizations such as Fundación Inclusión and Flow del Barrio, individuals who have historically had limited access to the fashion industry will share the stage with designers, models, and professionals from around the world. For the organization, sustainability extends beyond environmental care—it also means creating opportunities, dignity, and social transformation.
The event will conclude with the E.D.W.A.R.D. Awards (Ethical Defenders of the World Awards), created to honor individuals, organizations, companies, and institutions that generate positive impact and contribute to building a more sustainable, ethical, and inclusive future.
In the words of José Alexzander, “Fashion can be a powerful tool to educate, inspire, and transform. Sustainable Fashion of the World is born from the conviction that sustainability is not a trend, but a shared responsibility that can unite cultures, generate opportunities, and build a better future for all."
