Zalando extends 3-year deal with Copenhagen Fashion Week until 2026

The Zalando Sustainability Award was at the heart of the strategic partnership from 2020 until 2023, giving a platform to over 15 designers on the runway at Copenhagen Fashion Week and awarding talents such as Stamm and Nikolaj Storm Copenhagen among others, Zalando said in a press release.

Following three successful years of the Zalando Sustainability Award, the concept of the award evolved further in April 2023 as Zalando launched the Zalando Visionary Award for SS24. The new award recognises the makers of the future, enabling designers to showcase their dedication to design and creativity, innovation, and positive social impact as well as their sustainability efforts.

The award will now run annually in August, with one winning brand receiving a slot on the official Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer season schedule as well as a monetary prize and additional support for show production. Applications for the SS25 Zalando Visionary Award SS25 will open in early 2024 and will require applicants to demonstrate how they are making waves in one or more of the following pillars—Creativity and Design, Social Impact, and Innovation. Brands applying for the Zalando Visionary Award must also comply with Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Minimum Standards in order to be eligible for the official show schedule, added the release.

London-based brand Paolina Russo was announced as the winner of the first Zalando Visionary Award this summer and co-creative directors Paolina Russo and Lucile Guilmard debuted their first runway collection during the SS24 season of Copenhagen Fashion Week. They demonstrated their visionary approach and dedication to innovation through a vibrant and versatile knitwear collection that combined artisan techniques with industrialised manufacturing; bridging the gap between heritage craftsmanship and technology to push the boundaries of design.

Lena-Sophie Roper, director of designer and luxury at Zalando, said: “Over the course of our partnership so far, the calibre of talent we’ve seen on stage has been incredibly high, with six outstanding award-winners who brought new, innovative designs to the runway in Copenhagen each year, with their own unique stories. We’re thrilled to have provided that opportunity to brands who may not have had the exposure without the support of this partnership.

“With every stride we take, our aim is to help shape a different future where the fashion industry is bolder and more innovative. Together with Copenhagen Fashion Week we're passionate about moving the fashion industry to a better place and we’re proud of the impact it has had already and will continue to have through the Zalando Visionary Award.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)