Applications open for Zalando Visionary Award 2025

Zalando, a leading European destination for fashion and lifestyle, is excited to present the Zalando Visionary Award in partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week for 2025. The Zalando Visionary Award 2025 will run across both the AW25 season in January and the SS26 season in August.

The application period will run until the 4th of October 2024 and three finalists for the Zalando Visionary Award will be announced on the 19th of November 2024. The three finalists will be invited to present hero pieces from past collections during a finalist showcase at CPHFW AW25 in January 2025. As part of the finalist showcase, the winner of the Zalando Visionary Award will be selected and announced by the Zalando Visionary Award jury.

The winner of the Zalando Visionary Award 2025 will become part of CPHFW’s official show schedule for SS26 season in August 2025 and will also receive a prize of €50,000, monetary support for runway show production and a six month mentorship with a relevant industry expert.

Championing the makers of the future by putting the spotlight on designers and brands with a visionary approach, the award is based on three pillars: design, innovation and social impact. 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 evaluated and the winner will be determined by an international jury consisting of industry thought leaders and representatives from Zalando in addition to a review by the Copenhagen Fashion Week show committee.

• Design: brands with a unique aesthetic that is reflecting their identity and individuality. Their designs hold a contemporary relevance that resonates with the current cultural, social, and market context of the fashion industry.
• Innovation: brands that apply innovative techniques and practices in order to produce forward-thinking collections. This might include sourcing new materials, introducing unconventional dying techniques or incorporating advanced technology into their supply chain.
• Social impact: brands that are driving diversity, equity and inclusion within their business operations, marketing and product assortment. They advocate for social change and positively influence the well-being of marginalised communities.

• The application form for the Zalando Visionary Award 2025 can be found here.
• More information about the award is available here.