Paolina Russo wins the first Zalando Visionary Award in partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week

• London based brand Paolina Russo has been named the winner of the first Zalando Visionary Award and will present its collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week in August 2023
• The brand demonstrated its dedication to creativity and innovation through collections that combine artisan techniques with industrialized manufacturing, bridging the gap between heritage craftsmanship and technology
• The Zalando Visionary Award celebrates the makers of the future and enables designers to showcase their dedication to creativity, innovation and positive social impact

BERLIN, JUNE 05, 2023 // Today, Zalando, a leading European online platform for fashion and lifestyle, announces Paolina Russo as the winner of the first Zalando Visionary Award 2023 in partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week. The London based brand, founded in 2021 by Paolina Russo and Lucile Guilmard, is rooted in outstanding creativity with a large focus on knitwear and an aim to lead the craft revival of tomorrow. Paolina Russo demonstrated its visionary approach and dedication to innovation through its vibrant and versatile knitwear collections that combine artisan techniques with industrialized manufacturing, bridging the gap between heritage craftsmanship and technology to push the boundaries of design.

The jury were particularly impressed by the brand’s approach to its collaborative manufacturing network. Paolina Russo treats its supply chain as creative partners: through visiting manufacturers and working face to face on the factory floor, the founders have the ability to learn from their supply chain’s processes and expertise to create garments that change the perception of what traditional knitwear can be. In addition, the brand has demonstrated a strong focus on its environmental impact by ensuring ethical sourcing, the use of natural, singular fibres and partnering with certified manufacturers.

Paolina Russo says: “We are truly thrilled to receive the Zalando Visionary Award. Meeting the high standards of an award like this brings us closer to our goal: modernising craftsmanship and rethinking traditional techniques through innovation and responsible fashion products. Winning encourages us to keep building a sustainable brand and celebrates an alternative way of working that doesn't contribute to the flaws of the fashion industry. We can't wait to have our first catwalk show, and share our work with a larger platform and audience.”

The winner of the Zalando Visionary Award was chosen by an international jury consisting of thought leaders, representatives from Zalando and the Copenhagen Fashion Week show committee including Brand Advisor, Dio Kurazawa; Creative and Buying Director at Highsnobiety, Herbert Hofmann; Fashion Stylist, Leah Abbott; Director of Designer and Luxury at Zalando, Lena-Sophie Röper and CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Cecilie Thorsmark.

As the winner of the award, Paolina Russo will receive a prize of 50.000 euros and showcase its collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week in August 2023 as part of the official show schedule. Zalando will provide monetary support for show production to bring Paolina Russo’s vision to the runway, spotlighting the brand’s commitment to creating a collection of the future.

Lena Sophie Röper, Director of Designer & Luxury at Zalando says: “We are delighted to announce Paolina Russo as the first winner of the Zalando Visionary Award. The award attracted entries from truly innovative and forward-thinking talent, and Paolina Russo stood out with its striking craftsmanship and dedication to creating collections that merge traditional hand craft designs with a futuristic aesthetic to create a selection of vibrant patterns and shapes. I look forward to seeing the collection showcased on the runway in August at Copenhagen Fashion Week.”

Herbert Hofmann, VP Creative and Buying at Highsnobiety says: “It's great to see that Paolina Russo has a strong relationship with its creative partners, this is immensely important to create a supply chain that delivers innovations with responsible processes. Paolina Russo's creations are inspiring not only through its use of materials, shapes and colour but its dedication to creating garments that contribute to the future of fashion. It's been a pleasure to be part of this journey, I can't wait to see what's to come for Paolina Russo."

About the Zalando Visionary Award

The Zalando Visionary Award is an extension and evolution of the Zalando Sustainability Award. It aims to recognize the makers of the future and enable designers to showcase not only their sustainability efforts but also their dedication to creativity, innovation and positive social impact, supporting them to make meaningful change within the fashion industry. The Zalando Visionary Award is based on three pillars: creativity and design, social impact and innovation. To be eligible for the award, applicants need to demonstrate how they are making waves in one or more of the award pillars in addition to fulfilling Copenhagen Fashion Week’s sustainability requirements. The winner of the Zalando Visionary Award is chosen by an international jury consisting of industry thought leaders, representatives from Zalando, and the Copenhagen Fashion Week show committee. The winner becomes part of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s official show schedule and receives a prize of 50.000 Euros as well as monetary support for show production.

About Paolina Russo

Paolina Russo is a London based brand founded in 2021 by Paolina Russo and Lucile Guilmard. The brand is a rose-tinted supercut of Russo’s suburban upbringing in Canada, and Guilmard’s French folklore references. Memories of youth sports teams and DIY arts-and-crafts projects assemble the brand's avant-garde garments. Since completing a BA and MA at Central Saint Martins, receiving the L'Oréal Creative Young Talent Award, and establishing a multi project collaboration with Adidas, Russo and Guilmard have been increasingly defined by considered craftsmanship, sustainability and innovation in textile development. Blending Russo's roots in knitwear with Guilmard's contemporary cutting methods, along with a shared craft obsession, Paolina Russo returns to the playful brashness of adolescence.

About Copenhagen Fashion Week

Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) is the biggest fashion week in Northern Europe, held biannually in January/February and August. Regarded as the fifth global fashion week, Copenhagen Fashion Week welcomes leading international press, buyers and industry leaders across their global network to four days of shows, presentations, installations and events alongside the trade show CIFF x Revolver. Sustainability is the core focus for Copenhagen Fashion Week, striving towards making substantial changes to inspire and encourage the industry to accelerate their sustainability efforts. In January 2020, Copenhagen Fashion Week unveiled an ambitious three-year Sustainability Action Plan, presenting an innovative system of requirements for brands to be part of the official schedule that was implemented at the AW23 edition of CPHFW. The Action Plan is revised and released every three years, positioning CPHFW as the leading fashion week within the sustainability field.

The Zalando Visionary Award SS24 jury members:

Lena Sophie Röper - Director of Designer & Luxury at Zalando
Cecilie Thorsmark - CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week
Dio Kurazawa - Sustainability and Brand Advisor
Herbert Hofmann - VP Creative & Buying at Highsnobiety
Leah Abbott - Fashion Stylist