UN and Top Design Schools Unveil Next Chapter of Sustainable Tour Guide Uniforms

New York, 28 April 2026

The United Nations, with academic and creative partners, today launched the next phase of the UN Tour Guide uniform initiative.

The initiative brings together the UN Office for Partnerships and the UN Department of Global Communications with the Swedish School of Textiles at the University of Borås and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.

Funded by the Paul Frankenius Foundation, the project brings together students and researchers from the Swedish School of Textiles and Central Saint Martins to design a new accessory for UN Tour Guides, building on the landmark 2025 collection that, for the first time in the UN’s history, embedded sustainability into the design process.

“Creativity drives transformation,” said Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the UN Office for Partnerships. “This initiative demonstrates what is possible when global institutions and leading design schools work together. By turning everyday objects into platforms for innovation and sustainability, we connect global values with lived experience.”

The announcement was made during Design Matters: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Fashion, held in the Goals Lounge at UN Headquarters. The event marked one year since the launch of the current uniforms on Earth Day 2025.

“Supporting the next generation of designers is one of the most powerful ways to accelerate change,” said Paul Frankenius, Founder of the Paul Frankenius Foundation and Board Member of the Swedish School of Textiles. “By connecting leading design schools with the United Nations, this initiative allows students to translate creativity into practical solutions that advance sustainability on a global stage.”

As part of the initiative, ten master’s students from each school will explore circular design, sustainable materials and responsible production through the creation of new accessories, a selection of which will go into production in the third quarter of 2026.

“We are very thankful to the Swedish School of Textiles for inviting Central Saint Martins to join this design collaboration with the United Nations,” said Per Götesson, Senior Lecturer at Central Saint Martins. “Bringing together students from both institutions creates a powerful exchange of ideas around sustainability, innovation, and the future of fashion.”

Designed by 20 international students from the Swedish School of Textiles, the 2025 collection marked two firsts: the first time a fashion school led the design of UN Tour Guide uniforms, and the first-time sustainability served as a core design principle.

About UN Tour Guides

Since 1952, UN Tour Guides–often described as “Ambassadors to the Public”–have welcomed visitors into the halls of international diplomacy. Over the decades, their uniforms have evolved with the times, shaped by designers such as Dior, Benetton and Elie Tahari.

With more than 200,000 visitors passing through UN Headquarters each year, the UN Tour Guide uniforms serve as a highly visible platform for engaging global audiences on sustainability.

About the UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network

The UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network is a collaborative platform that brings together industry leaders, creatives and organizations to drive action for sustainable development through fashion, lifestyle and cultural influence.

About the UN Office for Partnerships

As the global gateway to the United Nations, the UN Office for Partnerships convenes and co-creates essential partnerships and programmes, as well as manages catalytic funding to accelerate solutions to keep the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Media Contacts:
Francyne Harrigan | UN Office for Partnerships | [email protected]

Sofia Bennegård | Swedish School of Textiles | [email protected]

Melanie Ashley | Central Saint Martins | [email protected]