Zalando Launches Sustainability Award at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Zalando, Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle, is introducing a new Sustainability Award to take place every season of Copenhagen Fashion Week, starting from February 2021.

The award aims to encourage fashion brands to explore sustainable alternatives and recognise strategies that contribute to a more sustainable industry. Three finalists have been announced today for the award, which further strengthens and celebrates the three year strategic partnership between Zalando and Copenhagen Fashion Week. Both parties are dedicated to accelerating sustainability within the fashion industry. The two finalists, House of Dagmar and Marimekko will present their collections during Copenhagen Fashion Week, which takes place between the 2nd-5th of February 2021.

All brands that take part in Copenhagen Fashion Week were invited to apply for the award. The finalists have been chosen by an experienced, international jury, consisting of the model, environmental activist and sustainability consultant, Arizona Muse; CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Cecilie Thorsmark; CSO of Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), Morten Lehman; sustainability and brand advisor, Dio Kurazawa. Representing Zalando on the jury are Director of Sustainability at Zalando, Kate Heiny, and Lena-Sophie Roeper, Buying Director Premium & Luxury. The jury members closely reviewed each brands’ sustainability strategies, including their collections and level of dedication to sustainable advancements and innovation.

The winner of the award will receive a prize of 20,000 euros, as well as a partnership with Zalando in developing an exclusive capsule collection. The collection will contribute to the sustainability conversation by exploring sustainability solutions in design across materials, production processes, technological solutions and traceability. To further support the winning brand in their business growth, Zalando will make a broad selection of the showcased collection available to its more than 35 million customers across 17 European markets.

“To Zalando, this award is a great opportunity to continuously raise the bar and help drive the industry towards a more sustainable future,” says Kate Heiny, Director Sustainability at Zalando. She continues, “We want to encourage brands to never stop challenging themselves to do better and this initiative is a unique way for us to work together with the brands to discuss challenges and share learnings. Collaborations are a big part of our DNA and essential to truly transform our business from within, the industry at large and inspire our customers and help them make more sustainable choices.”

Jury member and international sustainability advocate Arizona Muse states:

“I’m delighted to be part of the judging panel for the inaugural Zalando Sustainability Award. It’s fantastic to see a strong selection of Nordic brands challenging the industry to do better. The jury has shortlisted three fantastic designers that combine a love of fashion with a mission to protect both people and planet. It is so important to celebrate the strides that are being made to deliver a greener and fairer fashion industry, and to support consumers in their efforts to make more ethical choices.”

CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Cecilie Thorsmark says, “We are proud to unveil the Zalando Sustainability Award as part of our shared commitment to affect long term sustainable change in the industry. The award celebrates the advancements being taken by three sustainability driven brands, giving us an opportunity to firmly recognize and acknowledge each of their individual actions and fundamental efforts.”

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 the 4th of February

QUOTES FROM THE FINALISTS

House of Dagmar

“We are very honored to be one of the finalists for a sustainable award. Fashion is a way of expressing yourself and we are thrilled that our work with sustainable clothes can be broadcasted to the world, letting more customers know about the movement we want to inspire. As a small brand we rely on bigger players like Zalando to help push these matters – we are hopeful we can change the fashion industry together.” Sofia Wallenstam, Brand Director at House of Dagmar

Marimekko

“We are truly honored to be a finalist for the Zalando Sustainability Award organized for the very first time. For 70 years, Marimekko’s design philosophy and operations have been based on longevity and we believe that timeless and long-lasting design that brings joy for many years is also a sustainable choice. That said, we want to be at the forefront of continuously developing more sustainable products and practices for the entire value chain, from raw materials to product use and recycling. It is our duty, through the power of our example, to help move the entire industry forward towards a more sustainable future. This award is a great example of an initiative that can have vast positive implications for our whole field.” Rebekka Bay, Creative Director Marimekko

THE JURY

Arizona Muse, ​Model, environmental activist and sustainability consultant

Arizona sits on the board of The Sustainable Angle, and is a passionate advocate for sustainability and environmental regeneration. She is one of the leading voices on the topic from the fashion industry.

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week

Cecilie has launched a three-year sustainability action plan “Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week” to transition the event into a pioneering industry platform with the capacity to further the industry’s sustainability potential.

Dio Kurazawa, ​Founder​, ​The Bear Scouts

Dio assists influential brands with the implementation of innovative, responsible practices through the creation and implementation of socially responsible supply chains.

Kate Heiny, Director Sustainability, Zalando SE

Kate is a leading figure in bringing Zalando’s Corporate Sustainability Strategy to life and in deriving actionable measures in becoming a sustainable fashion platform.

Lena-Sophie Roeper, Buying Director Premium & Luxury, Zalando SE

Lena is responsible for the whole Premium and Luxury category, including buying, merchandising and content. Before joining Zalando Lena worked at Saks 5th Avenue and Michael Kors in NYC.

Morten Lehman, CSO, Global Fashion Agenda

Morten Lehmann is an established expert in sustainability - with over 20 years of experience - and leads the content for both GFA’s core publications as well as the renowned annual event, Copenhagen Fashion Summit.