Zalando Visionary Award SS25

AW24 Copenhagen Fashion Week Paolina Russo Runway 2x3 James Cochrane 32

Zalando is honored to present the Zalando Visionary Award in partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week for the SS25 season.

The winning brand must fulfill Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Sustainability Requirements.

Championing the makers of the future, the award invites designers to showcase their dedication to creativity and design, innovation and positive social impact, supporting them to make meaningful change within the fashion industry.

Zalando Visionary Award Criteria

The Zalando Visionary Award is based on three pillars: creativity and design, social impact and innovation. To be eligible for the award, applicants need to demonstrate how they are making waves in one or more of the following pillars in addition to fulfilling Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Sustainability Requirements. The applications will be reviewed and the winner will be determined by an international jury consisting of industry thought leaders and representatives from Zalando in addition to the Copenhagen Fashion Week show committee.

  • Creativity and Design: brands with a standout visual aesthetic reflecting their identity and individuality bringing this to life from vision/ concept to reality through design, prints, patterns and textiles while capturing the zeitgeist.
  • Social Impact: brands that are driving diversity, equity and inclusion within their company, advertising campaigns and assortment. They do so by engaging in meaningful conversations, for instance by contributing to social causes, advocating for transparency or amplifying different communities.
  • Innovation: brands that use and champion innovative production techniques in order to produce forward-thinking collections. Innovative production techniques can include sourcing new materials, introducing new dying techniques and incorporating cutting-edge technology into their supply chain – showcasing the future of fashion.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that Zalando invites you to submit an application to be considered for the award.

Please be aware that Zalando can only accept applications from apparel brands and not pure accessory, kidswear or swimwear brands.

If you would like to be considered for the CPHFW show schedule regardless of the outcome of your Zalando Visionary Award application, please fill out the official CPHFW application form before the 8th of April in addition to the Zalando Visionary Award application.

The prize

The winning brand will be awarded a monetary prize of 50.000 Euro.

The production support

Zalando will secure the following to support the winning brand in the production process in the lead up to CPHFW:

  • Show venue in Copenhagen
  • Production and guest management agency
  • Basic set design (eg. light, sound, runway and seats)
  • Backstage catering
  • Photographer
  • Videographer

The winner will receive 35.000 Euro as additional support in production costs for the show production which must cover the following expenses that the winning brand will be in charge of:

  • Models
  • Hair and make-up
  • Backstage coordinator
  • Showcall manager
  • Additional production manager (if needed)
  • Choreographer
  • Music and music rights
  • Additional set design to suit the brand’s needs

As part of the show production Zalando will appoint a project manager to the winning brand to help support with the planning process.

The successful brand will be announced on 29th April 2024.

The Process

All brands applying for the award must comply with the Copenhagen Fashion Weeks’ Sustainability Requirements as the winning brand must fulfill these requirements to showcase at CPHFW and be eligible for the award.

Brands need to fill out and submit this application form for the Zalando Visionary Award no later than April 8th, 2024.

In addition to filling out the Zalando Visionary Award application form, all brands will also be required to fill out a Sustainability Requirements Survey to ensure compliance with Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Minimum Standards. The deadline to submit the survey to Copenhagen Fashion Week is April 8th, 2024.

All applications will be carefully reviewed and selected applicants may be invited to interview.

Based on the submitted application information and Sustainability Survey, alongside discussions in the interview, the jury and CPHFW show committee will select one winning brand.

The winner of the Zalando Visionary Award will be part of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s official schedule for SS25 and be required to produce a runway show.

Applications for the 2024 Zalando Visionary Award are now closed.