Zalando Sustainability Award Finalists Announced for SS22

Mother of Pearl, Nikolaj Storm Copenhagen and Teatum Jones announced as finalists for this season's Zalando Sustainability Award at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Zalando and Copenhagen Fashion Week are excited to announce Mother of Pearl, Nikolaj Storm Copenhagen and Teatum Jones as finalists for this season's Zalando Sustainability Award at Copenhagen Fashion Week which will place 10-13 August, 2021. The finalists will be admitted to the official show schedule of Copenhagen Fashion Week. The Zalando Sustainability Award encourages fashion brands to explore sustainable alternatives and recognizes strategies that contribute to a more sustainable industry.

Zalando, Europe’s leading online fashion and lifestyle platform, and Copenhagen Fashion Week have announced Mother of Pearl, Nikolaj Storm Copenhagen and Teatum Jones as the finalists for this season’s Zalando Sustainability Award, at Copenhagen Fashion Week which will take place between 10th-13th August 2021. The global award runs for the second season of a three-year strategic partnership and has been opened to international applicants. It aims to encourage fashion brands to explore sustainable alternatives to design and production with an ambitious sustainable strategy and innovative solutions in mind. The three finalists, Mother of Pearl, Nikolaj Storm Copenhagen and Teatum Jones, were selected by an international jury consisting of industry thought-leaders, leadership representatives from Zalando, and the Copenhagen Fashion Week show committee. The finalists will be admitted to the show schedule and will present their collections during Copenhagen Fashion Week.

The Zalando Sustainability Award pays into Zalando’s sustainability strategy, do.MORE. Acknowledging to have been part of the fashion industry’s problem, Zalando is now eager to be part of the solution. As the Starting Point for Fashion in Europe, Zalando’s scale and technology will help to take the lead in building the connections needed to transform the industry for the better. Thus, the Sustainability Award and partnership between Zalando and Copenhagen Fashion Week represents a great opportunity for finalists to leverage the platform in unison, and drive positive change.

Director of Sustainability at Zalando, Kate Heiny says “We’re delighted to have received so many applications for this year’s Zalando Sustainability Award and continuing our strategic partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week. The growing popularity of the Award creates an opportunity for further work jointly with brands on growing the choice for customers in more sustainable items and making it visible across Europe. As a platform we want to use our influence to grow more sustainable choices and are happy to see that many brands want to partner with us in this mission.”

The finalists have been chosen by an experienced, international jury, consisting of CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Cecilie Thorsmark, Editor-In-Chief of soon-to-launch Vogue Scandinavia, Martina Bonnier, Model, environmental activist and sustainability consultant Arizona Muse, President & CEO of WGSN, Carla Buzasi, sustainability and brand advisor Dio Kurazawa as part of the jury for the second season. Representing Zalando on the jury are Director of Sustainability at Zalando, Kate Heiny and Director of Design and Luxury, Anaheta Berenberg. The jury members closely reviewed each brands’ sustainability strategies and level of dedication to more sustainable advancements and innovation.

The three finalists will receive funding for production costs and debut their designs in the Zalando Greenhouse - the official hub of Copenhagen Fashion Week 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 euros as well as a partnership with Zalando in developing an exclusive capsule collection, which represents sustainable advancements and innovation.

This August, fashion fans from around the world can experience the latest in sustainable fashion when the Zalando Greenhouse opens at Copenhagen Fashion Week, debuting the latest designers in contention for the Sustainability Award. The Zalando Greenhouse returns for another season, and this time, it manifests itself through physical and digital, also called ‘phygital’, experiences. The Greenhouse will be home to sustainable initiatives, pushed by Designers, brands and thought-leaders from across the fashion industry.

Jury member Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week spoke, following the shortlist announcement, “I’m happy to be working with Zalando for another year at Copenhagen Fashion Week as part of the judging panel on this year's Zalando Sustainability Award. It’s been exciting to review so many fresh ideas from brands that strive towards a more sustainable future. The jury shortlisted these talented designers as we think they have what it takes to provide consumers and the industry with accessible, responsible fashion."

The Sustainability Award is an opportunity for Zalando to leverage its platform to facilitate collaboration across the industry; putting the spotlight on brands that share its vision. Read more about the award here.

Jury members

Cecilie Thorsmark - CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week

Kate Heiny - Director of Sustainability at Zalando

Anaheta Berenberg - Director of Design and Luxury at Zalando

Martina Bonnier - Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Scandinavia

Arizona Muse - Model, environmental activist and sustainability consultant

Carla Buzasi - President & CEO of WGSN

Dio Kurazawa - Sustainability and brand advisor