Treasure Paws is proud to announce our first grant initiative, “The Rebirth of Cool: Upcycled Couture,” a exciting new program that empowers emerging fashion designers to fuse creativity with sustainability. This unique opportunity provides young design students access to Treasure Paws’ donated clothing inventory, challenging them to transform secondhand garments into four runway-ready looks—and one whimsical ensemble for a pet! With an additional cash award to cover supplemental supplies, participants will explore the art of upcycling while championing environmentally conscious fashion. This annual grant cycle will conclude with a fashion show and the looks will be sold on Treasurepaws.org and all profits will go to the young designers.

Applications are open to students currently enrolled in or recently accepted to higher education fashion programs who can demonstrate a passion for design and a commitment to a more sustainable future. 

The Rebirth of Cool: Upcycled Couture
 A Treasure Paws Grant for Future Designers of Sustainable Fashion

Calling all emerging sustainable fashion visionaries!

Treasure Paws invites young designers to reimagine donated clothing and create something extraordinary. Participants will craft four human looks and one just-for-fun pet look, celebrating creativity and sustainability in style.

 What You Get:

  • Access to donated clothing

  • A grant to cover additional supplies

  • A chance to showcase your upcycled couture

  • Recognition from the Treasure Paws community

  • Promotion on social media

  • Your looks will be sold on our website (you keep the proceeds!)

What you give: 

  • Your talent and passion

  • Your partnership in social media promotion

  • Your dedication to sustainability

  • Your commitment to participating

  • 4-8 new garments for humans (dresses, top and bottoms combos, or a mix)

  • 1 new look for a pet (just for fun!)

  • Ability to travel to San Francisco and Burlingame, California. 

  • Bi-weekly check-ins with sketches, progress photos, videos of you working that will be used for social media promotions. 

Who Can Apply:
Bay-Area (we’re pretty flexible on the definition) designers enrolled in or accepted into a higher education institution, with an interest in design and a passion for sustainable fashion, along with a small body of demonstrated work. 

Please note that this program isn’t about putting together outfits, but about creating new garments by cutting, sewing, and otherwise altering donated clothing. 

To Apply:

Send a link or PDF of your portfolio, plus a one-page cover letter sharing your passion for sustainable design to ben@treasurepaws.org. We understand that you’re young designers just getting started. 

Deadline to apply: 

Aug 1, 2025

The Program runs through December 2025 and will culminate in a virtual or hybrid fashion show in December. 

Note:

The application period for 2026 will run from May 1 to August 1. 

Let’s make sustainability stylish.