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The Zalando Visionary Award 2026 was decided on Wednesday during Copenhagen Fashion Week. Finalists were presented earlier in the day, while the winner was revealed later that evening over dinner at the iconic Café Victor in central Copenhagen, a long-standing meeting place where fashion, media and business have traditionally converged.

Launched in 2022, the Zalando Visionary Award aims to support emerging designers who combine innovation with a strong sense of social responsibility.

On the second day of the fashion week, the finalists’ so-called hero pieces were showcased in a curated exhibition, featuring three designs from each brand. The three finalists, INSTITUTION, KYLE HO and Milk of Lime, were selected by the jury for their forward-thinking approach to fashion, clear creative visions and ability to generate social impact through design. The initiative was facilitated by Zalando.

The award ultimately went to INSTITUTION, founded by designer Galib Gassanoff. Based in Italy, the brand draws clear references to Gassanoff’s Azerbaijani heritage and operates at the intersection of fashion, art and social engagement.

Galib Gassanoff, Founder, INSTITUTION

The jury highlighted INSTITUTION’s clear vision and refined craftsmanship. According to the jury, Galib Gassanoff succeeds in translating a globally minded and culturally rooted approach to fashion — one that preserves traditional craft while reinterpreting it in a contemporary context.

As the winner, INSTITUTION will receive mentoring support, a €50,000 prize, as well as €35,000 in production funding from Zalando. In addition, the brand will present its SS27 collection on the catwalk during Copenhagen Fashion Week in August.

Jury member and VP of Brand & Creative at Zalando, Sara Spännar, said:

“Galib has demonstrated a remarkable ability to push the boundaries of creativity, and his dedication to craftsmanship, combined with his cultural background, proved decisive.”

Galib Gassanoff himself emphasised the importance of the community behind the brand:

“I believe in the value of sharing my brand with the world, and I am grateful every time this project is recognised as meaningful.”

The jury consisted 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
Sara Spännar, VP of Brand & Creative at Zalando
Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director of Fondazione Sozzani

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