The Berlin online fashion retailer Zalando and the Copenhagen Fashion Week are looking for the “designers of the future”.
For the past three years, the Zalando Sustainability Award has been presented at Danish Fashion Week, now the Visionary Award follows. The new concept of the designer should offer the opportunity to prove their creativity, their innovative thinking and their social commitment. The aim is to support designers in driving forward future-oriented developments in the fashion world, according to Berlin on Monday.
The new price is a further development of the previous concept, a spokesman for the online retailer confirmed to FashionUnited by telephone. Sustainability is no longer the main focus, but Copenhagen Fashion Week’s sustainability requirements must still be met by all participants. The prize now focuses on design and creativity, social commitment and innovation.
New focus for the award
All three areas and the associated demands on creative professionals are defined by Zalando. In terms of design and creativity, special attention is paid to outstanding visual aesthetics that capture the zeitgeist and identity of a brand, while social commitment values, among other things, the promotion of diversity, equality and inclusion within the company. For innovation, the introduction of new dyeing techniques and the integration of cutting-edge technology into the supply chain is cited as an example of innovative production techniques.
“With the Zalando Visionary Award, we want to honor brands that share Zalando’s values. We want to put the spotlight on initiatives that make a positive contribution to the fashion world,” says Lena-Sophie Röper, Director of Designer & Luxury at Zalando. “Broadening the scope of the award to include new areas of creativity and design, community engagement and innovation provides a unique opportunity to shed light on different aspects of each brand’s DNA.
The Zalando Sustainability Award is endowed with 50,000 euros. EUR 15,000 of this is earmarked for the production of a fashion show at Copenhagen Fashion Week in spring/summer 2024. The remaining 35,000 euros are considered additional monetary support, which can be used to finance models, hair and make-up and other necessities for the fashion show. The winner will be chosen by a jury of industry experts, representatives from Zalando and Copenhagen Fashion Week.
Applications can be made from now until May 2nd using a registration form on the Zalando website.