Today, May 8, 2024, Zalando, the leading European online platform for fashion and lifestyle, is proud to announce Sinead O’Dwyer as winner of the Zalando Visionary Award 2024. The London-based label, founded in 2018 by Irish designer Sinéad, purposefully creates designer clothing for women, femmes and gender non-conforming individuals with diverse bodies. As part of Zalando’s ongoing partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week and as recipient of the award, Sinéad O’Dwyer will make her debut at the official SS25 edition in Copenhagen in August.

The Zalando Visionary Award celebrates the creators of the future by spotlighting designers and brands with a visionary approach to creating positive social impact and driving innovation and creativity within the fashion industry and beyond. With robust brand values ​​and a clear vision for the future of fashion, Sinéad O’Dwyer demonstrated a commitment to creating meaningful change by consistently designing, developing and producing clothing for different body sizes. She challenges traditional norms within the fashion industry by advocating for truly inclusive collections and casting of diverse models. The brand’s vision is deeply rooted in empowerment and self-expression, with the aim of creating luxury clothing that makes the wearer feel confident and comfortable.

Sinéad O’Dwyer expressed her excitement after winning the award: “Winning the Zalando Visionary Award is such an honor and extremely meaningful for the company, especially during these uncertain times for independent brands. We feel empowered to continue our mission, building on the work we’ve done to to bring a broader and more equitable vision of beauty to the world. Body diversity is our inspiration and driving force and we believe that inclusive design is the only way to create ethical, sustainable, functional and modern clothing. We can’t wait to get to Copenhagen Fashion Week and share this work with a new platform and audience.”

The Zalando Visionary Award jury consists of progressive names from the fashion industry who jointly selected the winner, including Giuliano Calza, renowned founder and creative director of GCDS, Edward Buchanan, creative director of SANSOVINO6, as well as Herbert Hofmann, creative and purchasing director at Highsnobiety. Copenhagen Fashion Week CEO Cecille Thorsmark and Lena-Sophie Röper, General Manager Designer at Zalando completed the judging panel with their wealth of experience and guidance to honor Sinéad O’Dwyer for her dedication to driving important change in the industry.

Giuliano Calza, jury member and founder and creative director of GCDS said: “Accepting this role on the jury was primarily driven by the countless instances where I felt unheard and longed for a platform to amplify my voice. I am filled with deep joy and a sense of privilege to have had the opportunity to lend my voice to such a distinguished cause. Presenting an award of this caliber carries enormous weight and not only has an impact on the present, but also has the potential to ignite inspiration for future generations, making ideals that I hold dear are reinforced. Sinéad’s relentless commitment to diversity and breakthrough innovation in an industry that is often stuck in the past is truly commendable. The importance of an award like the Zalando Visionary Award cannot be overestimated plays a crucial role in supporting emerging designers and investing in their future, by providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and creativity.“

Sinéad was praised by the jury for the visionary aspects of her designs and her relentless commitment to innovation. By taking the shape of the body as inspiration for her collection and avoiding traditional ways of pattern making and instead casting lifelike moulds, Sinéad shows that innovation and inclusivity are the starting point for her brand. She also creatively pushes the boundaries by developing the signature ‘Shibari’ style, a reinterpretation of a Japanese bondage technique, and experimenting with different fabrics in her work; ribbed, ribbed satin bands with crystal bead embellishment. The label’s design approach is characterized by an interest in the connection between embellishment and construction.

Lena Sophie Röper, General Manager Designer at Zalando says: “Sinéad O’Dwyer clearly demonstrates the values ​​we want to see and embodies the spirit of the Zalando Visionary Award. The brand finds the right balance between these values ​​with unique designs, innovative solutions with a provocative, wearable and exciting collection. It’s fresh fashion and Sinéad’s forward-thinking approach is what Zalando stands for – championing the new wave of designers who dare to dream and create a better future for fashion.”

As winner of the award, Sinéad O’Dwyer receives one prize of €50,000. She will present her collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week in August 2024, with additional support from Zalando for the show production to highlight their inspiring commitment to diversity and innovation.