MWORKS, Raeburn and Ranra have been shortlisted for online marketplace Zalando’s Sustainability Award.
The winning brand will be announced at Copenhagen Fashion Week, which takes place between 9-12 August.
Zalando’s Sustainability Award celebrates brands that drive positive change and contribute to a more responsible fashion industry.
The award, which is open to international applicants, encourages fashion brands to explore innovation, and publicly celebrates strategies that contribute to a fashion industry that is less harmful to the environment. Judges said they were impressed with MWORKS’ use of innovative materials and techniques such as Seaqueal yarn and seamless knitting, while Raeburn’s reworking of surplus fabrics to create distinctive and functional pieces and Ranra’s drive to launch a recycling and garment repair programme were commended.
The winner of the award will receive a prize of €20,000 and a partnership with Zalando in developing an exclusive eco-focused capsule collection. The winning concept will explore how to be greener across materials, production processes, technological solutions and traceability.
The judging panel for Zalando’s Sustainability Award includes: CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Cecilie Thorsmark: sustainability editor of British Vogue, Emily Chan; model, environmental activist and sustainability consultant Arizona Muse; and sustainability and brand advisor Dio Kurazawa.
Representing Zalando on the jury are Kate Heiny, director of sustainability and Alice Marshall, buying director for women’s apparel.
Heiny said: “This award is an opportunity for both Zalando and Copenhagen Fashion Week to publicly reward brands that have a strong sustainability agenda and facilitate collaboration across the industry.
“It spotlights brands that are leading in the sustainability space – and in doing so, Zalando aims to inform and inspire consumers and help to transform the fashion industry.”
The three finalists will receive funding for production costs and debut their designs in the official ‘Zalando x CPHFW’ partnership hub venue and the digital ‘Greenhouse’, which will also be a source of inspiration and education to help consumers navigate the complex topic of sustainability.
The jury will do a second review of the finalists and their Copenhagen Fashion Week collections before selecting the winner and announcing the successful brand on 11 August 2022.
Read more about Zalando on Green Retail World
[Image credit: Zalando]
