Ella Doeringer, a fashion designer and visual artist, is combining her creativity with a commitment to sustainability as she addresses the urgent environmental challenges posed by the fashion industry. The industry currently produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually, a figure expected to rise to 134 million tonnes by 2030, exacerbating issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has emphasized the need for a circular economy in fashion—one that prioritizes sustainable production, reuse, and repair—to mitigate these impacts. Doeringer’s work reflects this approach, as she focuses on sourcing second-hand and discarded textiles, integrating bespoke craftsmanship and personalized design into her creations.

“Fashion is a huge part of waste pollution, especially with fast fashion and there’s just so much overconsumption,” Doeringer said, highlighting how many people treat clothing as disposable. She advocates for greater public awareness and individual contributions toward reducing fashion waste, noting that small efforts collectively can create significant change.

Currently interning at a company that employs innovative printing techniques using algae and seaweed-based materials, Doeringer is committed to incorporating upcycled and environmentally friendly materials into her work. This aligns with her broader philosophy of creating custom-made pieces that emphasize durability and sustainability.

Over the past year, Doeringer has engaged in several international initiatives. She was selected as one of 30 students from across Europe to participate in the Sustainable Challenge in Barcelona, a program dedicated to addressing sustainability, social inclusion, and ethical issues in fashion design. She will also spend six months studying fashion design through an exchange program at Ewha Woman’s University in South Korea.

Currently visiting family in Hong Kong, Doeringer is revisiting her visual arts portfolio and has been invited to contribute a mural to the Education University of Hong Kong’s Project Aspire program, which supports children and teenagers on the autism spectrum.

“I’m very passionate about the environment and sustainability, but an artist is what I am, so I want to use that passion within it,” Doeringer said. Whether working in visual art or fashion, she seeks to use creativity as a means of promoting environmental consciousness while pursuing her artistic passions.