Zalando & Copenhagen Fashion Week name sustainability award finalists

The award, which is open to international applicants, aims to encourage fashion brands to explore sustainable alternatives and recognise strategies that contribute to a more sustainable industry, the two entities said in a joint media release.

The finalists were selected by an experienced, international jury of thought leaders consisting of the CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Cecilie Thorsmark; sustainability editor of Vogue GB, Emily Chan; model, environmental activist and sustainability consultant Arizona Muse; and sustainability and brand advisor Dio Kurazawa. Representing Zalando on the jury are director of sustainability at Zalando, Kate Heiny and vice president category women, Sara Diez.

The jury members closely reviewed the applicants’ fundamental approach to sustainability and focused specifically on their use of certified materials, production processes, innovation, transparency and ability to apply a more sustainable approach to fashion.

The jury was impressed by Fassbender’s use of a large variety of more sustainable materials as well as innovative production processes, such as 3D printing and microbial dyeing, the ability of ISO.Poetism by Tobias Birk Nielsen to inspire and empower customers, as well as the focus on recycled materials and innovative dyeing techniques, as well as Tomorrow Denim’s holistic approach from the use of organic and recycled materials to waste management.

The three finalists will receive funding for production costs and debut their designs in the Zalando Greenhouse; which will showcase the latest in sustainable fashion both on and offline. They will compete to win Zalando’s Sustainability Award, a prize of €20,000 as well as a partnership with Zalando in developing an exclusive capsule collection, which leverages sustainable advancements and innovation.

The jury will do a second review of the finalists and the collections they are showcasing during Copenhagen Fashion Week to select the winner of the award. The winner will be announced on February 3.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)