Winning first place in the TOM FORD Plastic Innovation Prize powered by Lonely Whale is a milestone for Sway, Julia Marsh’s (MFAD 19) seaweed-based, sustainable plastic substitute. Selected from 64 applicants on six continents, the finalists presented the panel of judges with a working prototype to replace the polybags the fashion industry is currently reliant on. The finalists are Genecis, Kelpi, Lwanda Biotech, Marea, Notpla, Sway, Xampla, and Zero Circle. They include alternatives made from local algae in Iceland (Marea), organic waste and reprogrammed bacteria (Canada’s Genecis), and peas (the University of Cambridge-based Xampla). Seaweed emerged as the most frequently harnessed alternative.

The Prize Purse, presented by Sponsor TOM FORD BEAUTY  and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. totals $1.2 million and is a combination cash prize, sponsored by the companies, and direct investments in the Prize Winners by Trousdale Ventures, the Prize’s exclusive venture capital partner.

Sway also introduced its new logo, a swirling fluid “S” designed by Christian Pietrzok and Shuhua (Liz) Xiong (MFAD 19) inspired by the ocean and the nature of seaweed.