申し訳ありません。このコンテンツはただ今、英語のみとなります。 For the sake of viewer convenience, the content is shown below in the alternative language. You may click the link to switch the active language.

The international program brought together designers, researchers, and experts from Estonia and the United States to present and discuss practical circular design solutions in fashion and textiles

From February 8–11, 2026, the transatlantic circular design initiative Circular Dialogues took place in New York during New York Fashion Week, combining a symposium and research-driven exhibition focused on scalable circular economy solutions in fashion and textiles. The program brought together designers, researchers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and policymakers from the United States and Europe.

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

Distinguished by its combined academic and applied approach, Circular Dialogues connects universities, industry actors, and public institutions to move circular design from theory into implementation. The platform links European circular design frameworks with US innovation and production ecosystems, positioning itself as a working bridge between research methodology and real-world manufacturing systems.

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

The project was developed through research and network-building conducted in New York under Professor Reet Aus’s Fulbright scholarship. Over a three-month period, organizers established the symposium and exhibition framework in collaboration with New York University and Estonian partners.

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

The collaboration traces back to the Estonian Association of Designers’ 2024 initiative “Upmade in Estonia,” which evolved into a broader partnership between institutions and practitioners in Tallinn and New York. Since then, more than twenty professional events—including workshops, seminars, exhibitions, and fashion showcases—have been staged within major international design week programs. Circular Dialogues represents the next phase of this ongoing exchange, expanding both research-led and practice-based cooperation.

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

PHOTOS: Mauricio Zelaya

The exhibition was held at The Canvas SoHo gallery, while the symposium took place at NYU. Discussions addressed implementation pathways and challenges in circular design, covering zero-waste strategies, industrial and post-consumer upcycling, repair systems, redesign and reuse models, recycling infrastructures, and the regulatory and urban policy dimensions shaping sustainable production.

The accompanying exhibition presented case studies from New York and Tallinn that demonstrated how circular economy principles are applied in practice, highlighting technical, organizational, and regulatory factors influencing sustainable fashion systems.

The program also included professional networking events supporting international cooperation, including a reception at the residence of the Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations.

Organized and supported by NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study, the Fulbright Program, the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Estonian Association of Designers, Estonian Design House, Erasmus+, and The Canvas, with additional support from the NYU Office of Sustainability and openEARTHstudio, the initiative will continue at the Tallinn Design Festival (Disainiöö) in Estonia, where its themes will be further developed through exhibitions and expert discussions.