I Sabi Do Am – Upcycling Challenge
In 2024, Team Cascade partnered with Warri Fashion Week to introduce the “I Sabi Do Am” Upcycling Challenge, an initiative designed to shift how people think about clothing, waste, and creativity.
At the heart of the challenge was a simple idea: what if the clothes we discard still hold value?
Participants, ranging from emerging designers to everyday creatives, were invited to transform old or unused garments into entirely new fashion pieces. What followed was a showcase of innovation and resourcefulness. Worn-out denim became structured jackets. Old Ankara fabrics were reimagined into modern silhouettes. Scrap materials turned into bold statement accessories.
Beyond aesthetics, the challenge opened conversations about textile waste, fast fashion, and environmental responsibility. Many attendees were surprised to learn how much clothing ends up in landfills and how small changes in consumption habits can make a difference.
For the young creatives involved, it was more than a competition, it was validation. It demonstrated that sustainability and style are not opposites. They can coexist beautifully.
“I Sabi Do Am” became a reminder that environmental responsibility can begin with what we already have, and that innovation often starts with rethinking the ordinary.