● Zalando reaffirms its commitment to supporting emerging design as it enters the fourth edition of the Zalando Visionary Award, selecting Institution, KYLE HO and Milk of Lime as the 2026 finalists.
● Long-standing jury member Edward Buchanan is joined by a new group of industry experts, including Christiane Arp, Jeanie Annan-Lewin, Sara Sozzani Maino and Zalando’s own Sara Spännar.
● The winner will be chosen during Copenhagen Fashion Week AW26 in January, and in August, Zalando will host the winning brand for the premiere of its Spring–Summer 2027 collection in a dedicated show.
BERLIN, 20 NOVEMBER 2025 // Zalando unveils the finalists for the Zalando Visionary Award 2026:
Institution (Italy), KYLE HO (United Kingdom) and Milk of Lime (Belgium/Germany). This year’s finalists were carefully selected by the jury based on their visionary approach to the award’s key pillars: social impact, innovation and design. Each brand pushes the boundaries of creativity while highlighting the role fashion can play in advancing cultural and industry progress.
The jury will announce the winner of the Zalando Visionary Award 2026 on 28 January. Guests will have the opportunity to see a selection of the finalists’ looks and discover their vision more deeply during a discussion moderated by Giuliano Calza, founder and creative director of GCDS. The winning brand will present its Spring–Summer 2027 collection in August during Copenhagen Fashion Week.
Institution, KYLE HO and Milk of Lime impressed the jury with their distinct creative approaches:
● Institution, a creative project founded by Galib Gassanoff, operates as a socio-artistic organisation grounded in ethical principles. Rooted in the designer’s Azerbaijani heritage, the project extends beyond fashion, using craftsmanship, natural materials and community involvement to preserve artisanal skills that are at risk of disappearing.
● KYLE HO, a London-based brand founded by Kyle Ho, focuses on contemporary tailoring. Created to challenge traditional menswear conventions, the brand redefines masculinity through progressive silhouettes and innovative craftsmanship. With a global perspective and a commitment to refined design, the brand constantly pushes boundaries for a new generation.
● Milk of Lime, a Belgian-German prêt-à-porter brand founded by Julia Ballardt and Nico Verhaegen both graduates of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp builds its identity on humanity’s relationship with nature and collaborative craftsmanship. The brand explores the poetic dimension of life through its “punk-rural” narrative. Its collections blend natural fibres, haute couture techniques and raw elements to create a distinct sense of wearable poetry.
The Zalando Visionary Award celebrates excellence in design, innovation and social impact, aligning with the sustainability requirements of Copenhagen Fashion Week. With former winners including Paolina Russo, Sinéad O’Dwyer and IAMISIGO, the award continues to promote and support designers who reshape the fashion landscape through bold, forward-thinking perspectives.
Joining Edward Buchanan on the jury is a new group of industry experts who selected this year’s finalists and will decide the winning brand in January:
● Edward Buchanan, creative director and cultural advocate
● 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
● Sara Spännar, VP Marketing at Zalando
Sara Sozzani Maino, jury member and long-time supporter of initiatives aimed at a more responsible future, stated:
“We have three finalists with three unique stories to tell. Each is deeply rooted in its brand’s heritage and expressed through carefully considered and meticulously executed collections. All of them have shown a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to their brand DNA. I look forward to seeing how they will push the boundaries of innovation in January, amplify their social impact and express their creativity through design, while remaining authentic to the stories they build.”
The winner of the Zalando Visionary Award 2026 will receive a prize of €50,000 and an additional €35,000 in funding for the production of the August presentation. Mentorship and support will be provided by jury member Edward Buchanan, along with a masterclass led by industry expert Giuliano Calza.
Sara Spännar, VP Marketing at Zalando, adds:
“I’m delighted that these are our three finalists. With the Zalando Visionary Award, we aim to support brands that dare to be different, challenge conventions and push boundaries. This year’s selection highlights three distinct voices, each bringing fresh perspectives and ambitions for how they drive the industry forward in design, innovation and social impact. I’m looking forward to January, when the brands will be able to showcase even more of their work.”
