The 3rd edition of the Paraiso Swim-Upcycle Challenge — created to raise awareness on fashion sustainability by up-cycling dead-stock fabrics from international swimwear designers — will include an exclusive partnership with @istitutomarangoni_miami one of the nation’s top fashion and design schools. Five design students from IMM were selected based on sketches submitted to Paraiso this past spring and will compete and receive mentorship by celebrated swimwear brands @bondibornaustralia @gigicbikinis @beachriot @chromat and @maaji The student finalists have already been matched with participating swimwear labels and will have chronicled mentoring sessions with representatives from each brand. Camila Balleste will be mentored by Bondi Born, Amelie Onate by Beach Riot, Liran Tal by Chromat, Marco Lugo Garcia by Maaji, and Marissa Mercado by Gigi C. Their patterns and designs will be posted on social media to aptly document the process of this exciting competition. The goal of the challenge is to teach students how to reduce the negative environmental impact of creating virgin fabrics by instead utilizing deadstock materials. This is done in the hope that design students will be encouraged to implement the process in their future work, in an industry where sustainable practices are becoming the new normal. “Seeing the final pieces come to life on the runway is truly a thrill for us at Paraiso,” stated Natalija Dedic Stojanovic, co-Founder and Creative Director of Paraiso. “By partnering with Istituto Marangoni Miami on the Swim-Upcycle Challenge this year, Paraiso is encouraging young designers to focus on sustainable design that doesn’t sacrifice style or luxury.” Designers will present two looks each to an industry jury consisting of: 
MJ Day Editor In Chief for @si_swimsuit
Corey Zulkiewicz, Women's Swimwear and Sleepwear Buyer at @bloomingdales 
Ivy Heilman, Senior Buyer for Intimates, Swim and Active at @anthropologie