October 16, 2025 | 6:30 - 9 pm
at The Clyde Venue
Savannah, Georgia
What started as a bold idea is now a growing tradition. The Upcycle Design Competition and Showcase returns this fall—bringing together artists, designers, and changemakers to turn waste into wonder and redefine what sustainability can look like in Savannah.
This isn’t your average fashion show.
This fall, join us for an evening where sustainability meets style, and trash turns into treasure. The Upcycle Design Competition and Showcase invites artists, designers, and makers to rethink what waste looks like—and reimagine it as fashion, function, or fine art.
We’re blending the drama of Project Runway with the mission of a zero-waste future. Think: upcycled fashion on a runway, real-time Q&As with the designers, interactive voting, and a gallery-style exhibit of creative reuse pieces that could reshape our city’s waste story.
The Competition
We’re calling on designers to take discarded materials from Savannah’s waste stream—like upholstery, curtains, sails, old uniforms, or industrial textiles—and turn them into original, wearable fashion pieces.
The Theme
This year’s competition challenges designers to transform waste from Savannah’s own material stream—like discarded upholstery, curtains, sails, and old uniforms—into original, wearable fashion. The goal: to spotlight creative solutions to our city’s waste problems through upcycled design.
Judging + Voting
Designers will present their look on the runway, and then speak briefly with our panel of judges during the show.
A panel of local sustainability leaders, designers, and artists will serve as official judges. But the crowd gets a say too—audience members can text in their favorites throughout the evening.
Why We Do This
Savannah throws away hundreds of tons of usable materials every year. The Upcycle Design Competition and Showcase is more than an event—it’s a solution in motion. By turning waste into art, we’re shifting what’s possible, one creation at a time.
Join us for a night that’s equal parts inspiration, innovation, and impact.
Prize
One winner will walk away with a $500 prize and bragging rights as Savannah’s upcycling star.
All competition designers will have the option to sell their creation the night of the event, with a portion of sales supporting Lite Foot Environmental Foundation..
Don’t want to compete? Not into clothing design? The Showcase invites creatives of all kinds—sculptors, furniture makers, visual artists, fiber artists, and more—to submit their upcycled creations.
These should solve a real problem or creatively respond to an issue related to waste or sustainability. Selected artists will display their work at the event, and may also be featured in prominent local businesses following the show.
Pieces may also be made available for sale during the event (with a portion of proceeds supporting our nonprofit).
Showcase
Become a Sponsor •
Become a Sponsor •
Become a Sponsor
Lite Foot Foundation relies on generous support from the community to make this event, and our initiatives successful. If you are a business, organization or individual, please consider sponsoring this year's event at one of the levels listed below.
As a sponsor, you'll be recognized at the event for your commitment to social responsibility and gain exposure to a diverse audience passionate about making a positive difference for the environment. If you have any questions, please email us at give@litefootef.org.
Join us as a sponsor today!
Support the Event! •
Support the Event! •
Sponsorship Levels
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Logo displayed prominently throughout all event marketing, materials and announcements before and during on every event screen at Savannah Station
Recognition on Foundation website, @LiteFootCompany and @LiteFoot Foundation social media with five exclusive posts.
Permanent recognition on the Lite Foot Company storefront mural
Opportunity to distribute the winner’s prize
Six complimentary VIP tickets
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Prominent placement on all print media, brochures, advertisements, and flyers.
Recognition on Foundation website, @LiteFootCompany and @LiteFoot Foundation social media with three exclusive posts.
Logo on select screens during the competition
Recognition at the event during the show
Four complimentary VIP tickets
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Inclusion on all print media, brochures, advertisements, and flyers.
Recognition on social media and the website (3 posts).
Logo on select screens during the competition.
Recognition as a gold sponsor in event-related materials and announcements.
Recognition at the event during the show
Two complimentary VIP tickets to the event
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Inclusion on event materials, announcements and logo on sponsor screen during the competition
Recognition on the website and two social media posts
One complimentary VIP ticket to the event
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Inclusion on event materials, announcements and logo on sponsor screen during the competition
Recognition on the website and one social media posts
Event Underwriting
Underwriting opportunities help to cover costs of the event so all proceeds directly benefit Lite Foot Environmental Foundation to further the organization's mission. Underwriting gifts are 100% tax deductible and do not include tickets to the event. Recognition for underwriting opportunities will be customized by level.
Reception Underwriter - $4000
Brewery Underwriter - $2000
Awards Underwriter - $1500
Decor Underwriter - $500
“I never thought in a million years I would win this competition. It totally pushed me to create more.”
-Kieanie Lee Parker, 2023 Upcyling Competition Winner
Kieanie curates sustainable pieces at her vintage shop, Meaningful Boutique. Check it out today and find more of her upcyled collection at this year’s Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week.