By José Manuel Martínez / Translated by Samai Páez

Channel 4 of Montevideo, Uruguay, takes an important step towards sustainability by inviting national designers to participate in a transformative and high-impact initiative, "Renova 4." This project, which is developed in collaboration with Universo MOLA, with the aim of revitalizing clothes that are no longer used in the channel's styles, while promoting awareness of the importance of caring for our planet.

The project involves different key actors, starting with a comprehensive inventory of the garments, followed by a creative process of upcycling. In this process, we had the collaboration of 4 emerging designers and fashion students, who were in charge of transforming the garments into new unique pieces for prominent figures of Channel 4. "I have found myself since I started this job, this great challenge of dressing in garments that are different to everyone. I found a locker room, a lot of garments that were in disuse, and we are wearing garments and they are getting "old." The girls of Universo MOLA gather a lot of designers who could reuse them and give them a second life," says Caro Carrara for AlgoContigo, Channel 4 costume designer.

Lucía Cotignola, a student of Textile Design at the Centro de Diseño University School, designed an upcycling capsule for Anahí Lange, a panelist for AlgoContigo. Julieta Roldán, a graduate in Fashion Design, created a similar capsule for Cintia Caballero, also a panelist on the program. For his part, Martín Ábalos, founder of his MABA brand, made garments for Viviana Aguirre, an 8 AM panelist. Finally, Sofía Abi-Saab, creator of her DONUM entrepreneurship, focused on designing looks for Giannina Silva, host of Vamo Arriba. 

The collaboration with Universo MOLA and the participation of educational institutions establishes an enriching connection with emerging designers and fashion students, which could lead to future collaborations and innovative projects. Channel 4 has the opportunity to consolidate itself as a leader in sustainable fashion by launching an initiative that not only reuses the channel's historical garments, but also raises awareness among the audience about the importance of environmental care. This program not only contributes to the reuse of materials, but is also part of a broader campaign that supports responsible practices and the reduction of the environmental footprint.

About Channel 4 and Universo MOLA 

Channel 4 is an open television channel in Montevideo, Uruguay, with entertainment, current affairs and news programs. 

Universo MOLA is a program of the Entre Soles y Lunas Foundation for the international movement of Latin American sustainable fashion. It proposes to intervene in the fashion value chain to create alternatives for regenerative development for young people and producing communities and thus provide greater welfare and quality of life.