DESIGN ACADEMY ADAPT
ADAPTIVE & INCLUSIVE
FASHION DESIGN
The Design Academy is developed in collaboration between VORN - The Berlin Fashion Hub and Zalando with the aim to use the power of community to foster positive, long-lasting transformations within the fashion industry. This third edition of the Design Academy will focus on developing creative and fashionable solutions for the disabled community.
The educational program consists of sixteen weeks of remote and in-person training split into two phases: during the first eight weeks, 100 selected talents will delve into themes such as sustainability, branding and business modeling with emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility.
In the second phase, the 10 most outstanding designers will be awarded with a scholarship for an eight-week design sprint with two weeks in-person residency in Berlin, where they will be mentored by industry experts in adaptive fashion design, sustainable design systems and digital technologies with emphasis on 3D design and manufacturing.
The journey will culminate at the Berlin Fashion Week 2025, where the finalists will have the opportunity to present their creations in a showcase exhibition.
THE CO-HOST
The third edition of the Design Academy is a collaborative effort between VORN - The Berlin Fashion Hub and Zalando. This unique partnership aims to foster innovation and inclusivity in the fashion industry, focusing on adaptive fashion solutions. Building on the success of previous editions, this year's program continues to push innovation and drive positive change within the fashion community.
ADAPTIVE FASHION DESIGN
Adaptive Fashion is apparel made for people with permanent or temporary disabilities (such as limited mobility, limited dexterity or sensory sensitivity) that offers additional functionality to make dressing easier. There is a clear gap in the fashion market — finding fashionable adaptive clothing still represents a challenge for disabled people. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 130 million people live with disabilities in the European region - almost a third of the total EU population, yet the fashion market still largely does not cater to their needs.
Since 2020, Zalando has been developing adaptive collections through its Private Labels and partnerships with brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and the medical-technology company Ottobock - to provide a truly inclusive experience for under-represented groups. The pieces are developed in close collaboration with the disabled community with the aim of contributing to solving their challenges and offer a varied selection of stylish and accessible items.
Image credit: Auf Augenhöhe
Photographer (Adaptive Fashion user): Anna Spindelndrei
BEHIND THE SCENES
ADAPT CAMPAIGN
The Design Academy ADAPT Campaign presents the work of this year’s designers and talents: Alison Black & Elisa Chirino, Ann-Sophie Schälicke & Ayleen Walter, Boglárka Pitenyák & Fatemeh Assadiabravan, Britta Knossalla & Nika Sky, Carles López & Marcus Laudan, Isabell Schuh & Janina Nagel, Madeleine Marquardt & Lea Beeck, Megan Hall & Sandie Roberts, Sebastián Plaza Kutzbach & Ylva Ahrens, and Svitla Volka & Jörg Schmidtke. Filmed at zStudios by Beyond Binary and uns*, with behind-the-scenes photography by Veronika Hopponen and campaign photography by Anna Yevstihnieieva.
THE RESULTS
MODULES OF THE PROGRAM
Branding & Business Modeling with a focus on Inclusivity, Accessibility & Belonging
In this module you will learn what is needed to build inclusive and accessible business models and storytelling and how fashion can be an effective advocate to promote cultural change.
More Sustainable Design Strategies with a focus on Adaptive Fashion
In this module you will learn how to design fashion that is catering the needs of disabled people and how more sustainable and circular design strategies are an alternative approach to the current take-make-waste fashion system - circular supply chains & local on demand production to reduce the products climate footprint.
Digital Technologies with a focus on 3D Design & 3D Manufacturing
In this module you will learn about digital creation including 3D designs, avatars and virtual try-ons to enable inclusivity through customization. Digital sampling and 3D manufacturing technologies can enhance resource-efficiency and inclusivity across the fashion value chain.
PROGRAM FRAMEWORK
THE PHASES OF THE PROGRAM
REMOTE PROGRAM
2nd of July - 22nd of August 2024
The participants take part in the remote phase of the Design Academy ADAPT and will immerse themselves in more sustainable design strategies with a particular focus on adaptive fashion. During an 8 week remote program internationally renowned trainers will guide the participants through various trainings.
The participants will gain valuable skillsets to include adaptive fashion into their collections, knowledge to develop more inclusive and accessible business models and storytelling as well as 3D design software skills for digital creation including 3D designs, avatars and virtual try-ons.
At the end of the remote phase, each designer can submit a concept to apply for the second phase of the program, the design sprint. A distinguished jury will award 10 participants from all submissions to proceed.
DESIGN SPRINT
30th of September - 22nd of November 2024
10 awardees receive a scholarship and join the 8 week full-time design sprint where they bring their concepts to life. Participants will engage in workshops, refining their skills and creativity under expert guidance. The design sprint will culminate in a demo day where the awardees will showcase their developed designs and solutions.
SHOWCASE
1st - 2nd of February 2025
The journey ends with a showcase presentation during Berlin Fashion Week in February 2025, bringing people of the intersection of fashion, innovation, and sustainability together.
