A Night at the Trades House

An Upcycling Fashion Challenge Presented in collaboration with Shelter Scotland

Designers, makers, and sustainability champions - this is your moment.

We invite creatives of all levels to transform donated textiles from Shelter Scotland into sustainable eveningwear inspired by Scottish heritage and the historic craftsmanship of Glasgow’s Trades House.

Theme: “A Night at the Trades House”

Design a show-stopping eveningwear look that embodies the spirit of skilled trades, historical pageantry, and the elegance of a formal gathering at the Trades House. This is a tribute to 

Scotland’s long-standing traditions of making. The trades house was founded on the crafts, from weaving and tailoring to carpentry and metalwork. This competition is looking for designs that infuse these heritage crafts with contemporary creativity and a commitment to reuse.

Challenge Guidelines

Materials: You will receive a bundle of textiles/rags from Shelter Scotland’s stock. Use as much reclaimed material as possible: innovation and transformation are key.

Design Focus: Garments must be suitable for evening wear and should reflect the competition’s dual emphasis on upcycling and craft-inspired design.

Sustainability: Thoughtful construction, minimal waste, and inventive reuse of materials will be critical judging criteria.

Submission Requirements

Sketches or photographs of the proposed design

A short statement (max 200 words) explaining your concept, inspiration, and techniques

Final garments must be wearable and runway-ready

Key Dates

Entry Deadline: Thursday 25th September 

Finalists announced: Monday 6th October 

Material Collection: Monday 14th October (trades house)

Final Submission: Thursday 13th of November 

Showcase Event at the Trades House: 27th of November

Winners will be featured in a celebratory showcase at the historic Trades House, with opportunities for media exposure and collaboration with Shelter Scotland’s sustainability initiatives.

To register and receive your upcycling pack, fill out the application: Apply here

Let your creativity honour the past and reshape the future.