Online marketplace and tech company Zalando has launched the application round for its fourth annual Zalando Sustainability Award.
Through the Zalando Sustainability Award, Zalando aims to encourage fashion brands to explore sustainable alternatives while recognising brands that are already contributing to a greener fashion industry.
Also a central part of Zalando’s do.MORE in-house sustainability strategy, which we’ve covered in detail on these pages, the award is an opportunity to form new partnerships with eco-focused businesses.
All international fashion brands can apply for the award, which this year runs alongside Copenhagen Fashion Week.
The initiative will explore sustainability solutions in design and innovation across materials, production processes, technology, and traceability – and the target is to generate findings that can be shared with the wider industry.
The deadline for brands to apply is 25 April, and the winner will be announced on 11 August at Copenhagen Fashion Week. The Zalando Sustainability Award will receive a prize of €20,000, as well as a partnership with Zalando in developing an exclusive capsule collection made available on the marketplace across 23 European markets.
The winner will be selected from three finalists, chosen by an international jury consisting of industry thought-leaders, leadership representatives from Zalando, and the Copenhagen Fashion Week show committee on 9 May.
All three finalists will receive €25,000 to put towards production costs, and they will become part of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s show schedule.
This year’s festival in the Danish capital will take place between 9-12 August. The jury members will judge brands on their overall sustainability strategy and transparency, collection, and level of dedication to sustainable advancements and innovation.
The Zalando Sustainability Award comes at a time when several start-up accelerators and programmes are launching in retail with a green focus. Among the companies in retail running such programmes are Amazon, Farfetch and Sainsbury’s.
Read more about greener thinking in retail on Green Retail World
[Image credit: Zalando]
