INNOVATION LAB
WHERE INNOVATION AND TEAMWORK THRIVE
In the Innovation Lab, teamwork comes to life. Here, promising concepts, products, and processes are tested physically, digitally or hybrid in collaboration with academics, brands, research institutes, start-ups, SMEs and others. We also guarantee access to the necessary hardware and software, ensure complete documentation and accompany each project through to market and investor preparations.
The fourth edition of the Design Academy is a collaborative effort between Zalando and Vorn – The Berlin Fashion Hub. Building on the success of previous editions, the fourth iteration of the programme continues to push innovation and drive positive change within the fashion community.
This year's Design Academy, titled NOVA, is focusing on innovative materials.
DESIGN ACADEMY NOVA
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, the third iteration of the program continues to push innovation and drive positive change within the fashion community.
DESIGN ACADEMY ADAPT
The VORN Academy II Loom will focus on circular design strategies and virtual creation in the luxury segment. The 50 selected participants will work remotely on a task under the professional guidance of experienced trainers and partners for 10 weeks. The results will be viewed and evaluated by a top-class jury. A 4-week design sprint in Berlin, including a scholarship, awaits the 10 best participants.
DESIGN ACADEMY LOOM
WELCOME TO THE HOOKED METAVERSE
October 17th, 2022 marked the kick-off of the first VORN Academy Program as part of the Innovation Lab. Until December 9th, nine international design talents conceived and realized a phygital fashion capsule collection with a circular approach under the guidance of experienced trainers. Both the designers and the VORN Academy were supported by the renowned industry partners Zalando, Kornit Digital and Unity.
The final phygital capsule collection was presented to the public in the immersive showcase exhibition “HOOKED” during Berlin Fashion Week in January 2023.
Created by:
Funded by:
In the research project Re.Spin VORN – The Berlin Fashion Hub and ito ito are jointly developing the technological foundation for circular textile production. The goal is to transform the currently linear system of design, manufacturing, and disposal into a closed loop through the development of digital infrastructure and automated processes.
At the center is SHIFT – The Microfactory, a modular production system that combines automated recycling and knitting processes. Here, used textiles are mechanically separated, the fibers are processed into new yarns, and directly knitted back into garments – with minimal energy consumption and no loss of quality.
Re.Spin creates the digital foundation: A material database documents the properties and origin of materials used. Digital product passports enable transparent traceability. A design-to-production platform fully integrates the process from design to manufacturing digitally.With this approach, Re.Spin establishes the platform infrastructure for locally anchored, demand-driven, and transparent production systems that make a decisive contribution to reducing textile waste, CO₂ emissions, and resource consumption.
The project is co-financed by the State of Berlin and the European Union as part of the Masterplan Industriestadt (Industrial City Masterplan).