Tommy Hilfiger, owned by PVH Corp., selected five finalists for the 2022 Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge, selected from 259 submissions from global startups to scale companies.
The fourth edition of the program aims to empower historically marginalized entrepreneurs who strive to advance their communities by building a more inclusive fashion industry.
Finalists were judged on criteria such as potential social impact and market growth. Last month, each finalist presented their most pressing business challenges and collaborated with experts to develop practical solutions for a week. In the final phase of the programme, the five finalists will present their business concepts to a panel of business and sustainability leaders, including Tommy Hilfiger and activist Halima Aden, as well as Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe CEO Martijn Hagman. ; Esther Verburg, vice president of sustainable business and innovation at Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe; Adrian Johnson, media entrepreneur, associate professor of entrepreneurship at INSEAD; Katrin Ley, managing director of Fashion for Good, and Yvonne Bajela, investment partner and board member.
The Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge final will be held on February 9.
“As we enter the fourth edition of the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge, we know that there is still more work to be done to achieve diverse representation and inclusivity in fashion,” Hilfiger said. “When we come together collaboratively, we ignite an important catalyst for change, and only together can we develop this lasting impact. We are committed to using our platform to give a voice to emerging talent so the industry as a whole can improve the way we think, build and create.”
The five finalists are Care + Wear, a New York-based healthcare apparel company that bridges the gap between fashion and function by creating adaptable and accessible apparel, recovery bras, patient gowns and gowns to make people feel more human while in the hospital; IDA Sports, a British company that designs shoes and cleats especially for female athletes; Koalaa, a British startup that designs comfortable, affordable, soft upper limb prostheses that are made like clothing for people of all ages; Tactus, a Dutch-American technology brand that develops and manufactures smart clothing that makes music vibrate for the Deaf community, and Moner Bondhu, a Bangladesh-based start-up that provides accessible and affordable mental health and well-being services through professional advice, workshops, and apparel. training for everyone, including factory workers, women and youth.
A prize of 200,000 Euros will be split between the top two winners to support their initiative. The two winners will also receive a one-year mentoring opportunity and an INSEAD course with Tommy Hilfiger and INSEAD experts. An additional 15,000 Euros will be awarded to the finalist voted “Audience’s Favorite” by the Tommy Hilfiger partners.
“Supporting and working with the communities that drive positive change and innovation in the fashion industry remains one of our top priorities,” Hagman said. “Driven change is part of our brand DNA. With each new edition, the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge reaffirms our commitment to empowering the work of incredible entrepreneurs who can play a critical role in our journey to create a better fashion industry.”