The Zalando Visionary Award 2026 went to an Italian brand with Georgian and Azerbaijani roots

At the very end of Copenhagen Fashion Week, the winner of the Zalando Visionary Award 2026 was announced. This year, the prestigious award went to the Italian brand Institution, founded and creatively directed by designer Galib Gassanoff.

Gassanoff launched the brand in 2024 in Milan after co-designing Act N°1 with Luca Lin. With Institution, Gassanoff seeks to explore his personal journey, one deeply shaped by his roots. Of Azerbaijani descent, Gassanoff grew up on the outskirts of Tbilisi, Georgia, surrounded by opposing cultures, rigid taboos, and customs that remain part of everyday life in his hometown. The ambition of the project and the talent behind it are further underscored by the fact that Gassanoff made his runway debut at Milan Fashion Week as early as last March. It was his third collection for Institution.

By founding Institution, Gassanoff did not want to create just another “ordinary” fashion brand, but to initiate something that transcends fashion and holds value for society. Institution therefore goes beyond clothing, using contemporary craftsmanship to explore new interpretations of traditional techniques and natural materials. At the core of the brand are community and collaboration, with the aim of creating positive social impact and preserving artisanal skills that are slowly disappearing from contemporary fashion.

“I believe in sharing my brand with the world, and I am always grateful when this project is recognized as something meaningful. I want to thank everyone who has supported my vision from the very beginning and helped me build it to where it is today,” said Galib Gassanoff as he celebrated being named the winner of the Zalando Visionary Award in its fourth year.

In the final selection alongside Galib Gassanoff and Institution were London-based KYLE HO and the Belgian-German brand Milk of Lime. All three finalists were chosen by an international jury made up of fashion industry experts. The brands were recognized for their bold, innovative approaches, clear vision, and ability to push the boundaries of creativity as well as social impact within their communities. During Copenhagen Fashion Week, an exhibition showcased the finalists’ hero pieces through a carefully curated selection of three designs, highlighting each brand’s unique aesthetic signature and vision.

Institution will present its spring/summer 2027 collection in a runway show during Copenhagen Fashion Week in August, with the support of Zalando and casting director Emma Matell. The brand will also receive mentorship from an experienced jury member, creative director and cultural advisor Edward Buchanan, along with a cash prize of €50,000 and an additional €35,000 to support the production of the runway show itself.