The 2027 edition of the Zalando Visionary Award will take place in Milan, hosted at Fondazione Sozzani with a €50,000 cash prize for the winning designer. Applications for the international competition opened on November 5 and run until December 4, 2026, targeting independent fashion creators who demonstrate a measurable commitment to design, technical innovation, or community engagement. Alongside the financial award, the recipient receives dedicated mentorship from industry professionals and communications support to realize their collection.
The move to the Italian fashion capital marks a new chapter for the initiative, which was established by Zalando in 2023. Over four previous editions, the project operated in partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week, where it recognized designers including INSTITUTION, IAMISIGO, Sinéad O'Dwyer, and Paolina Russo. By transferring the program to Milan, the German platform aims to deepen its ties with the global fashion sector and establish direct connections with the manufacturing base and creative network centered in the city.
"Milan is where creativity meets craftsmanship and production at the highest level", said Eloisa Siclari, General Manager Southern Europe at Zalando. "We are proud to bring the Zalando Visionary Award here and collaborate with Fondazione Sozzani to offer emerging designers concrete support, helping them turn bold ideas into real collections to gain greater international visibility."
"At Zalando, we are passionate about creating new opportunities and experiences for our brand partners, our customers, and new talent in the fashion world", said Sara Spännar, VP Global Marketing at Zalando. "With this award, we want to be a truly active supporter of emerging fashion designers. We look forward to discovering the next generation of brands shaping the future of fashion."
The event will be staged inside Fondazione Sozzani, an institution established in Milan in 2016 by Carla Sozzani to present exhibitions and publications across photography, art, and fashion. The foundation continues the public programming initiated in 1990 by Galleria Carla Sozzani, with Sara Sozzani Maino directing projects centered on education, social responsibility, and rising designers.
"The future of fashion belongs to those who have the courage to challenge conventions, embrace new perspectives, and make creativity a tool for positive change", said Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director of Fondazione Sozzani. "At Fondazione Sozzani, we believe in the importance of nurturing talent and giving voice to a new generation of visionaries capable of redefining the entire sector. Hosting the Zalando Visionary Award is an opportunity to celebrate creativity driven by purpose, innovation, and the courage to imagine a more responsible and inclusive future."
What are the criteria for the Zalando Visionary Award
According to the organizers, applicants must demonstrate substantial progress across one or more of the award's three structural pillars: design, innovation, and social impact. Under the design pillar, brands are evaluated on whether their aesthetic communicates a distinct identity with clear relevance to current cultural and market contexts. For innovation, the evaluation focuses on future-oriented production methods, such as fabric development, alternative dye applications, or technological integration within manufacturing supply chains. The social impact pillar examines commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion across company operations, workforce practices, and product offerings, requiring applicants to actively support underrepresented communities.
Who is on the 2027 jury
The winner of the 2027 edition will be selected by an international panel drawn from fashion journalism, curation, and creative direction. The jury consists of Christiane Arp, former editor-in-chief of Vogue Germany; Edward Buchanan, Creative Director and Cultural Advocate; Jeanie Annan-Lewin, Contributing Fashion Editor at British Vogue; Angelo Flaccavento, fashion writer and critic; Sara Spännar, VP Brand & Creative at Zalando; and Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director of Fondazione Sozzani.
Fashion labels seeking consideration can submit their portfolios online before the December 4 deadline through the official digital application portal. The chosen designer will present their work in Milan in 2027, backed by the production resources and international network of both host organizations.
Staff
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