Zalando and Copenhagen Fashion Week announce Sustainability Award finalists

Zalando, a leading European online fashion and lifestyle platform, and Copenhagen Fashion Week have announced Zalando Sustainability Award finalists: British fashion firm RÆBURN, Paris-based Mworks, and London/Reykjavik-based design studio Ranra.

The award, now in its fourth season, honors businesses that promote good change and promote a more responsible fashion industry. It will be awarded during Copenhagen Fashion Week, which will take place from the 9th to the 12th of August 2022.

The finalists were chosen by a panel that included Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, model, environmental activist, and sustainability consultant Arizona Muse, Dio Kurazawa, sustainability and brand adviser, and officials from Zalando. Each applicant’s approach to sustainability was assessed, with an emphasis on the use of certified materials, production methods, innovation, transparency, and the incorporation of circular practices.

The jury was impressed by Christopher Raeburn’s eponymous brand’s innovation in reworking surplus fabrics to create distinctive and functional pieces, Mworks’ use of innovative materials and techniques such as Seaqual yarn and seamless knitting, and Ranra’s drive to launch a recycling and garment repair program, according to a statement released by Zalando.

Kate Heiny, director of sustainability at Zalando, and jury member said that with these three businesses recognized as finalists in this year’s competition, the SS23 season at Copenhagen Fashion Week is sure to be a particularly exciting event. This award gives Zalando and Copenhagen Fashion Week the chance to publicly recognize and reward firms who have a strong sustainability goal while also facilitating cooperation throughout the sector. Zalando hopes to enlighten and inspire consumers while also helping to revolutionize the fashion industry by highlighting firms who are pioneering in the sustainability field.

The three finalists will get production funds to present their ideas at the official Zalando x CPHFW partnership hub venue as well as the digital Greenhouse.

The winner of the Sustainability Award will receive 20,000 euros as well as a collaboration with Zalando to create an exclusive capsule collection “that will contribute to the sustainability conversation” by examining sustainability solutions in design across materials, manufacturing processes, and technological solutions, and traceability.

House of Dagmar, Nikolaj Storm, and Tobias Birk Nielsen’s Iso.Poetism were among the previous recipients of the Zalando Sustainability Award.

During Copenhagen Fashion Week on August 11, Zalando will reveal the winner during a catwalk event.