Product Design student Lee Paras emerged as the Best Designer Grand Champion of the 2026 Cebu City Upcycling Fashion Design Competition with a couture masterpiece that transformed discarded urban materials into a powerful statement on sustainability, creativity, and environmental responsibility.
Paras, a second-year Product Design student from the University of the Philippines Cebu, presented the “Upcycled Discarded Cable Wire Cover Couture”, a garment that reimagines discarded cable covers as a symbol of renewal. The piece earned recognition not only as the winning design of the competition but also as the featured couture creation for the Queen of Cebu City Fashion and Arts Night 2026, while also representing Barangay Apas as its official designer.
Held on June 21, 2026, at the Cube Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu, the Fashion and Arts Night: Upcycling Fashion Design Competition gathered young Cebuano designers who showcased innovative creations made from repurposed materials. Presented by the Cebu City Government through the Cebu City Anti-Discrimination Commission Office, in partnership with the DSWS LGBT Program and the SPEC Federation, the event highlighted the intersection of fashion, environmental advocacy, and LGBTQIA+ pride through a runway celebration of creativity and inclusivity.
Paras’ winning couture piece addresses a pressing environmental concern hidden within everyday urban landscapes. Globally, nearly a billion kilograms of cables are discarded annually, and after valuable metals are extracted, the remaining plastic covers often become overlooked waste. Through this design, Paras gives new life to these discarded materials by carefully cleaning and sewing cable covers into a structured all-white silhouette inspired by cloud formations and the vision of a clearer sky.
Beyond its visual impact, the piece carries a deeper message about responsible waste management and safer public spaces. The design draws attention to the growing issue of abandoned cables and hazardous “spaghetti wiring” found in many communities, encouraging conversations on proper disposal, infrastructure management, and sustainable practices.
The couture creation demonstrates how design can become a medium for environmental storytelling, proving that discarded urban materials can be transformed into meaningful works of art. By blending craftsmanship, innovation, and advocacy, Paras’ creation reflects the role of designers in imagining more sustainable futures.
Congratulations to Lee Paras for bringing pride to UP Cebu Product Design Program and for proving that sustainability can be the ultimate expression of creativity and style.