Six Finalists Announced for 2021 Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge

The global program, which aims to support entrepreneurial start-up and scale-up stage businesses that develop solutions that make a positive social impact on the fashion landscape, received over 430 applications for its third edition.

Applications opened in January and following a multi-step year-long process, applications were thoroughly reviewed by internal and external experts based on a dedicated set of criteria including potential social impact and market growth.

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The six finalists have been announced for the third edition of the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge.

The challenge aims to amplify and support Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs who are “working to advance their communities, while fostering a more inclusive future of fashion”.

Over 430 applications were made by global startups and scale-ups, before being narrowed down by a dedicated set of criteria including potential social impact and market growth.

The six finalists are:

1. Clothes to Good: A South African-based social enterprise that creates micro-business opportunities and jobs for people with disabilities and their families, especially mothers, through textile recycling.

2. Haelixa: A Switzerland-based product traceability technology that aims to accelerate the global transition to transparent consumer goods supply chains.

3. Mafi Mafi: An Ethiopia-based sustainable fashion brand that crafts ready-to-wear collections, preserving ancient traditions and empowering marginalized artisans.

4. Lalaland: A Netherlands-based platform that uses artificial intelligence to generate customized and inclusive synthetic models of different ethnicities, ages, and sizes, all with over 35 pose variations.

5. Soko: A Kenya-based jewelry business that uses mobile technology to connect marginalized Kenyan artisans directly to the global marketplace via a mobile platform.

6. Uzuri K&Y: A Rwandan-based eco-friendly shoe brand that uses recycled car tires from sub-Saharan Africa and employs local youth, equipping them with skills and economic independence.

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Next, the six finalists will pitch their business ideas to a jury panel consisting of business and sustainability leaders at the virtual global Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge final event on January 12-13, 2022.

The jury will award €200,000 to be split between two chosen winners in order to support their ventures. The winners will also receive a year-long mentorship with both Tommy Hilfiger and INSEAD experts, as well as a place in the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Program (ISEP). An additional €15,000 will be awarded to the finalist who Tommy Hilfiger associates select as their ‘Audience Favorite’ vote.

An additional 15,000 euros will be awarded to the ‘Audience Favorite’ finalist.

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“As key players in the fashion industry, it is our responsibility to support, empower and encourage inclusivity. The Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge is a testament of our commitment to make a meaningful and lasting contribution towards a better fashion industry,” said Martijn Hagman, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global, and PVH Europe.

“It is in our nature to drive change, even in the most challenging of times. We are proud to continue amplifying the ideas of entrepreneurs that are creating the fashion landscape we want, and need, to see.”

Content courtesy of Fashion Network & NFH Digital Team