London/Reykjavik-based design studio Ranra has won the fourth annual Zalando Sustainability Award.
The event, which took place as part of and in collaboration with Copenhagen Fashion Week, rewarded Ranra for its efforts to increase the longevity and adaptability of its garments.
Ranra was on a shortlist of three companies for the Zalando Sustainability Award alongside Raeburn and MWORKS, which were also recognised by the jury as innovators in the sustainability space and inspiring for the future of the industry.
The Zalando Sustainability Award aims to encourage fashion brands to explore alternative approaches to design and production to contribute to a more responsible fashion industry that is less harmful to the environment.
According to the jury, the Ranra collection showcased at Copenhagen Fashion Week highlighted the brand’s localised supply chain, with all fabrics sourced from one Italian supplier. The combination of fabrics and style used made for an “exciting statement on the runway”, Zalando said.
Ranra has won €20,000 and a partnership with Zalando to develop an exclusive collection which has the aim of utilising more sustainable materials, production processes, tech, and forms of traceability. Zalando will also make much of the Ranra collection showcased at Copenhagen Fashion Week available to its more than 49 million customers across 25 European markets.
Alice Marshall, buying director for women’s apparel at Zalando, said: “The jury and I were impressed with the beautiful use of colours, and the exciting use of fabrics in the garments.
“The genderless collection makes it a really interesting and inclusive collection for our customers. We look forward to working with Ranra to create a capsule collection that explores the advancements and innovations that Zalando consumers are looking for.”
Ranra founders, Arnar Mar Jonsson and Luke Stevens, commented: “From the beginning it has been our goal to create a brand that will have an impact on how the industry is currently manufacturing; intervening within existing production methods or adapting historic approaches which offer more sustainable solutions to the issues the industry faces today.
“Winning this award is a huge step in further defining this path.”
The Zalando Sustainability Award SS23 jury members were, as follows:
- Cecilie Thorsmark – CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week
- Kate Heiny – director of sustainability at Zalando
- Alice Marshall – buying director for women’s apparel at Zalando
- Arizona Muse – model, environmental activist & sustainability consultant
- Dio Kurazawa – sustainability & brand advisor
- Emily Chan – sustainability editor, Vogue
[Image credit: Lasse Bak Mejlvang ©️ Zalando SE]
