Nikolaj Storm, the Danish designer who won the Zalando Sustainability Award for Spring/Summer 2022, has partnered with Zalando to launch a circular design capsule collection. The genderless collection, which consists of 13 pieces, is available exclusively on Zalando and is inspired by the bold colors of fluorescent lights, the sounds of electro and techno music, and the crackling of nylon.
The collection features only synthetic fibres, including recycled polyester and Lycra T400, to ensure the garments are durable and can be repeatedly recycled without losing quality. According to Storm, the use of synthetic fibres also allows for brighter colors and better retention of shape, making them ideal for sportswear.
The collection was designed with Circular.Fashion’s circular design criteria in mind, which are based on three key strategies: using safe and recycled or renewable materials, ensuring the products last longer and can be repaired or recycled, and designing the products to be remade from recycled materials at the end of their life.
Zalando explains that all items in the collection meet at least the minimum level of the circular design criteria, with added features such as wider seams for easy alterations, zips for versatility, and care and repair QR codes to help extend the product life cycle. An Evaluation Report by sustainability consultancy Anthesis is also provided, giving transparency on the physical and emotional durability of the products across all stages of the product life cycle.
Storm said that this project was an empowering journey for him as a designer and that he aimed to create a collection that showcased the industry’s progress towards circular fashion while also being honest about the challenges that come with it. Laura Coppen, head of circularity at Zalando, praised Storm for his expertise, open mind, and willingness to explore circular design, despite the obstacles that come with innovation.
