" Zalando and VORN | Design Academy "
Zalando and VORN | Design Academy
Academy for fashion designers focuses on size, fit and digital innovation
Zalando and VORN – The Berlin Fashion Hub are proud to launch the fifth edition of the Design Academy. Titled SIZE, this edition focuses on the critical intersection of size, fit, and digital innovation.
Design Academy 5: SIZE is looking for bold talents who dare to step out of their comfort zones and combine their creative vision with a tech-forward mindset. We are offering 100 available spots for the initial phase, with the top 10 designers eventually being selected for an exclusive, high-intensity Design Sprint.
Designed for those who see design not just as an aesthetic endeavor, but want to dive deeper into new technologies for social and environmental change, this edition offers a rare opportunity:
- Master CLO: Receive basic training and technical deep dives into digital grading.
- Free Software Access: Gain full access to CLO software throughout the program.
- Impact-Driven Design: Learn to reduce physical waste through virtual prototyping while creating fashion that respects the diversity of the human body.
INFO
AMOUNT
As a SIZE awardee, you will receive a € 2,000 scholarship, plus dedicated budgets for production, materials, and travel, to support you in bringing your concept to life during the eight-week hybrid Design Sprint, partly in Berlin.
During the sprint, you will:
- Participate in hands-on workshops to sharpen your skills and expand your creative approach
- Refine your digital grading and translate your concept from digital patterns to a physical prototype
- Gain access to high-end sampling studios and knitwear facilities, turning your ideas into reality using professional production tools and techniques
- Receive individual and group coaching from experienced industry mentors
- Showcase your finished design during an internal Demo Day and at a professional exhibition during Berlin Fashion Week, providing excellent media exposure and networking opportunities
- Benefit from a professional photo and video documentation of your prototype
APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 20, 2026
ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
ELIGIBILITY
Post-graduate: Freelance fashion designers and designers from emerging and established brands are eligible to apply. Brands must be based in Europe, and accessory brands are excluded from participation. Applications can be submitted from April 13 to May 20, 2026.
Pre-knowledge in CLO is a plus, but the Design Academy SIZE is open to anyone interested to learn more!
APPLICATION DETAILS
For more information about the application process and eligibility criteria please visit VORN's official website.
NOTE
*The calls that are listed on our website are shared for informational purposes and are sometimes subject to change. Please visit the organization's official open call website for up-to-date information.
DEADLINE
2026-05-20
TYPE OF SUPPORT
Philanthropy
COUNTRY OF THE PROVIDER
Germany