ZALANDO NAMES THREE FINALISTS FOR 2026 VISIONARY AWARD

Zalando

Summary:

• Zalando selected Institution, KYLE HO, and Milk of Lime as finalists for the 2026 Visionary Award
• The jury will announce the winner on January 28 during Copenhagen Fashion Week AW26
• The winning brand receives 50,000€ and will present their SS27 collection in August

Zalando has announced the three finalists for its 2026 Visionary Award. Institution from Italy, KYLE HO from the United Kingdom, and Milk of Lime from Belgium and Germany will compete for the prize. The winner will be revealed on January 28 during Copenhagen Fashion Week.

This marks the fourth year of the award program. The jury selected the finalists based on three criteria: social impact, innovation, and design. Each brand demonstrates a distinct approach to fashion and creative vision.

The jury includes Edward Buchanan, who returns from previous years. New members include Christiane Arp, former editor-in-chief of Vogue Germany, Jeanie Annan-Lewin, contributing fashion editor at British Vogue, Sara Sozzani Maino, creative director of Fondazione Sozzani, and Sara Spännar, VP of Marketing at Zalando.

Institution operates as a creative project founded by Galib Gassanoff. The brand functions as a socio-artistic organization with roots in Azerbaijani cultural heritage. Gassanoff focuses on traditional craftsmanship and natural materials. The project aims to preserve declining artisan skills through community engagement.

KYLE HO, based in London and founded by Kyle Ho, specializes in contemporary tailoring. The brand challenges traditional menswear conventions. Ho redefines masculinity through progressive silhouettes and craftsmanship techniques. The brand targets new generations with refined design and a global perspective.

Milk of Lime was founded by Julia Ballardt and Nico Verhaegen, both graduates of the Royal Academy in Antwerp. The Belgian-German brand explores the relationship between humanity and nature. Their collections combine natural fibers, couture techniques, and raw elements. The brand describes its aesthetic as "rural punk" and emphasizes collaborative craftsmanship.

Guests at the January event will see selected looks from the finalist brands. Giuliano Calza, founder and creative director of GCDS, will host a panel discussion with the finalists. The conference provides an opportunity for attendees to meet the designers.

The winning brand will present their SS27 collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week in August. Zalando will host the show and provide production support. The winner receives a 50,000€ cash prize and an additional 35,000€ for show production costs.

Edward Buchanan will provide mentoring and tailored support to the winner. Giuliano Calza will conduct a masterclass for the winning brand. This guidance aims to help the designer prepare for the August presentation.

Sara Sozzani Maino commented on the selection process. She noted that each finalist has a unique story rooted in their cultural heritage. The finalists demonstrated clear vision and dedication to their brand identity. She expressed interest in seeing how the brands will demonstrate innovation, social impact, and design creativity.

Sara Spännar from Zalando stated that the award supports brands that challenge conventions. This year's selection represents three distinct voices with original perspectives. Each finalist shows ambition to influence the fashion industry through design, innovation, and social impact.

The award aligns with Copenhagen Fashion Week's sustainability requirements. Previous winners include Paolina Russo, Sinéad O'Dwyer, and IAMISIGO. The program continues to support designers who shape the fashion industry with bold and original approaches.