Tommy Hilfiger: who are the winners of the Fashion Frontier Challenge?

By

Céline VAUTARD

Translated by
Cassidy STEPHENS

Published
Feb 16, 2023

The 2023 edition of the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge has just crowned its two winners from the 253 applications received. The aim of the programme is to support the sustainable development vision of the American fashion label, owned by the PVH group, which aims to have no waste and offer more inclusive fashion.

The Fashion Frontier Challenge's aim is to provide an opportunity for typically marginalised entrepreneurs, to support black, indigenous and coloured people, but also people with disabilities and communities for women.

In 2023, two innovative concepts were awarded by the jury supervised by Tommy Hilfiger himself. He was joined by Martijn Hagman, CEO Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe, Halima Aden, former model and activist, Esther Verburg, executive vice-president and head of Sustainable Enterprise and Innovation at Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe and Katrin Ley, managing director of Fashion for Good.

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The British company Koalaa, which designs comfortable, affordable and flexible upper limb prostheses, received €115,000. "Our team is looking forward to helping even more and better supporting our community," said Nate Macabuag, founder of Koalaa. "This award will allow us to move forward to support more people of all ages. Winning the Fashion Frontier Challenge will allow us to make a real and bigger impact."

Bangladesh-based start-up Moner Bondhu, which provides mental health and wellness services to garment factory workers, women and young people, received €100,000. "This award will enable us to advance our mission globally by providing professional counselling, workshops and support especially to garment factory workers, women and young people in Bangladesh," said Tawhida Shiropa, founder and CEO of Moner Bondhu.

As a global brand, we have a responsibility to amplify the voices of those who innovate and commit to driving positive change in our industry," said Tommy Hilfiger. "We need to achieve true inclusivity in the fashion landscape."

Launched in 1985, the Tommy Hilfiger brand is sold in more than 100 countries through more than 2,000 retail outlets. Bought in 2010 by PVH Corp., owner of Calvin Klein, Van Heusen, Izod, Arrow and Bass, the label has achieved sales of 8.7 billion euros in 2021.