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Swedish, London-based designer Petra Fagerström has been crowned the winner of 2025’s Challenge the Fabric (CTF) Award. The award — part of the two-day CTF event that took place from 13 to 14 May in Milan — tasked seven young designers from across the globe with creating a look made from recycled fibres. It’s designed to demonstrate the creativity and quality that’s possible with more responsible materials, and Fagerström will take home €10,000, for her structured, perforated skirt and coat made with Sappi Verve jersey and Ecocell™ twill.
“I’m so grateful for this award. And honestly, CTF is such a lovely thing to be a part of,” the designer said backstage following the win. “I’ve met so many fresh, capable designers over the last two days. And winning the award really, really helps where I’m at right now with my brand.”
Fagerström only graduated from her MA in womenswear design from Central Saint Martins (CSM) in February this year. She’s known for her optical illusion lenticular pleating technique, applied to skirts and dresses and paired with tailored, sculptural jackets or layered separates. The designer officially launched her brand in September, with the support of the Swedish Fashion Council’s (SFC) incubator, after being inducted during her studies in 2023 (SFC has also nurtured rising stars like Hodakova and All-In). During her first season in the SFC showroom for Autumn/Winter 2025, the designer had already secured three leading stockists: Dover Street Market, H Lorenzo and 10 Corso Como. But Fagerström is still a one-woman team, and the CTF Award prize money will help her as she produces her first collection for stores.
“We’re going into production for the first time, which, of course, is daunting and scary. But also super exciting because sales went really well, so that’s why there’s a lot to do. It’s hard to prepare for when you’re still in school, but now it’s happening for real,” she says. “The prize money will help me to build out the studio, buy new equipment and develop the next collection. It really gives me the chance to scale.”
