Copenhagen Fashion Week and Zalando release Sustainability Award shortlist

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 8, 2021

Zalando and Copenhagen Fashion Week have announced Fassbender, Iso.Poetism By Tobias Birk Nielsen and Tomorrow Denim as finalists for this season’s Zalando Sustainability Award at CFW.

Taking place from February 1 to 4, it’s the third season of a three-year strategic partnership between the fashion e-tail giant and the fashion week with the award being key to the link-up.

The jury was “impressed by Fassbender’s use of a large variety of more sustainable materials as well as innovative production processes, such as 3D printing and microbial dyeing”. And it said the ability of Iso.Poetism By Tobias Birk Nielsen “to inspire and empower customers, as well as the focus on recycled materials and innovative dyeing techniques” were key. Tomorrow Denim’s “holistic approach from the use of organic and recycled materials to waste management” swung it for the label.

Open to international applicants and aiming to encourage fashion brands to explore sustainability, the finalists were selected by an “international jury of thought leaders”. 

They included CFW chief executive Cecilie Thorsmark; sustainability editor of British Vogue, Emily Chan; model, environmental activist and sustainability consultant Arizona Muse; and sustainability and brand advisor Dio Kurazawa. There were also representatives from Zalando on the panel.

The jury members reviewed the applicants’ fundamental approach to sustainability and focused specifically on their use of certified materials, production processes, innovation, transparency and ability to apply a more sustainable approach to fashion.

The three finalists will receive funding for production costs and debut their designs in the Zalando Greenhouse, which will showcase the latest in sustainable fashion both on and offline. They’ll compete to win Zalando’s €20,000 Sustainability Award as well as a partnership with the retailer in developing an exclusive eco-focused capsule collection.

The jury will conduct a second review of the finalists and the collections they’re showcasing during CFW to select the winner, who’ll be announced on February 3.