Innovation is extremely important. The true definition of innovation is in creating value for everyday use, by continuing to modernise and evolve existing ideas and inventions. When it comes to the creative industry, we have seen so much change in just one generation—the move to a highly digital world, advances in tech such as AR and blockchain, climate change and the need to address it for our future generations, the call for more diversity and equity. Innovation is essential to improve the world around us and ourselves.
With a focus on the nexus of fashion and innovation, Vogue introduces the Vogue Singapore x TaFF Innovation Prize—an initiative to grow and support Asian entrepreneurial talent by providing them with the tools, knowledge and monetary support to place them on a global stage.
The Prize, in partnership with the Textile and Fashion Federation of Singapore (TaFF), is the first of its kind in Singapore, posing the timely challenge of reimagining our creative ecosystem. From eco-sustainability to the rapid digitalisation of fashion, it seeks to scout emerging businesses and creatives with a mission to solve real-world problems through the art of innovation.
Innovation is extremely important. The true definition of innovation is in creating value for everyday use, by continuing to modernise and evolve existing ideas and inventions. When it comes to the creative industry, we have seen so much change in just one generation—the move to a highly digital world, advances in tech such as AR and blockchain, climate change and the need to address it for our future generations, the call for more diversity and equity. Innovation is essential to improve the world around us and ourselves.
Elizabeth von der Goltz, Chief Commercial Officer, MATCHESFASHION
Photographer: Eva K. Salvi
Elizabeth von der Goltz, Chief Commercial Officer, MATCHESFASHION
Photographer: Eva K. Salvi
I am inspired by Vogue’s ambition, to find trailblazers from diverse industries who have big dreams and the potential–with the right holistic support–to solve some incredibly challenging real-world problems. I truly believe that diverse talent and cross-sector collaboration speeds up innovation and progress, helping to find new ways forward.
Maria McClay, Director Fashion and Beauty at Google Cloud
I am inspired by Vogue’s ambition, to find trailblazers from diverse industries who have big dreams and the potential–with the right holistic support–to solve some incredibly challenging real-world problems. I truly believe that diverse talent and cross-sector collaboration speeds up innovation and progress, helping to find new ways forward.
Maria McClay, Director Fashion and Beauty at Google Cloud
The Prize is open to Cohorts 1 to 4 of The Bridge Fashion Incubator (TBFI). By taking part in the Vogue Singapore x TaFF Innovation Prize, selected participants from the Cohorts will be able to carry on their journey to optimise their businesses through an eight-week program curated by Vogue. This includes the opportunity to learn from local and global experts in the fields of media, sustainability, innovation and design.
Innovation lies at the heart of a lot of my process, and way of working. It starts with innovating around our fabrics and designs, all the way through to how we have conversations with our brand community and customers.
Han Chong, Designer, Self-Portrait
Innovation lies at the heart of a lot of my process, and way of working. It starts with innovating around our fabrics and designs, all the way through to how we have conversations with our brand community and customers.
Han Chong, Designer, Self-Portrait
Fashion is inherently about innovation. It always looks forward. It always asks, “What’s next?”
Mark Guiducci, Creative Editorial Director, VOGUE
Fashion is inherently about innovation. It always looks forward. It always asks, “What’s next?”
Mark Guiducci, Creative Editorial Director, VOGUE
The competition starts off with a two-day intensive bootcamp where participants will receive insights and knowledge from experts followed by one-on-one mentoring sessions that will help inspire and elevate their current business plans.
Experts participating in this years’ Vogue x TaFF Innovation Prize, include:
Alexis Bonhomme, VP, Farfetch (Greater China and APAC)
Angel Chen, Designer, ANGEL CHEN
Bettina von Schlippe, Publisher, Vogue Singapore
Burak Cakmak, Chief Executive Officer of the Fashion Commission, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Culture
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive, the British Fashion Council
Cat Taylor, Co-Founder, Institute of Digital Fashion
Elizabeth von der Goltz, Chief Commercial Officer, MATCHESFASHION
Han Chong, Designer, Self-Portrait
Leanne Elliott Young, Co-Founder, Institute of Digital Fashion
Maria McClay, Director Fashion and Beauty at Google Cloud
Maghan McDowell, Innovation Editor, Vogue Business
Mark Guiducci, Creative Editorial Director, VOGUE
Michael Lints, Partner, Golden Gate Ventures
Norman Tan, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Singapore
Timothy Iwata Durie, Global Innovation Director, Cartier and Co-Founder of Aura Blockchain
I believe innovation is a key value driver for the fashion and luxury industry. All brands are facing similar challenges when it comes to sustainability, being involved in the Vogue x TaFF Innovation Prize is with the hope to support innovators as well as learning and being inspired by them.
Timothy Iwata Durie, Global Innovation Director, Cartier and Co-Founder of Aura Blockchain
I believe innovation is a key value driver for the fashion and luxury industry. All brands are facing similar challenges when it comes to sustainability, being involved in the Vogue x TaFF Innovation Prize is with the hope to support innovators as well as learning and being inspired by them.
Timothy Iwata Durie, Global Innovation Director, Cartier and Co-Founder of Aura Blockchain
Innovative entrepreneurs deserve support from the investor community, as a sounding board, and mentor. I am honored to help the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Michael Lints, Partner, Golden Gate Ventures
Innovative entrepreneurs deserve support from the investor community, as a sounding board, and mentor. I am honored to help the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Michael Lints, Partner, Golden Gate Ventures
For us, being part of the Vogue x TaFF Innovation Prize, means activating change. It is a chance to assist in building a new, diverse, inclusive and sustainable future, free from the tiered systems of fashion’s past
Leanne Elliott Young and Catty Tay, Founders at Institute of Digital Fashion
For us, being part of the Vogue x TaFF Innovation Prize, means activating change. It is a chance to assist in building a new, diverse, inclusive and sustainable future, free from the tiered systems of fashion’s past
Leanne Elliott Young and Catty Tay, Founders at Institute of Digital Fashion
Through a pitch and selection process, three finalists will present their business plan and prototype to an international Jury who will be judging on use of innovation, product, design and execution, sustainability and the business and marketing plan to ensure scalability.
The winner of the Vogue Singapore x TaFF Innovation Prize will stand to win a monetary prize of $15,000, media coverage on Vogue Singapore, first-hand feedback from global industry leaders, as well as introductions to potential investors for funding. The winner of the Prize will then be announced at Vogue Singapore’s one-year celebration.
Our virtual show for FW20 marked a turning point for ANGEL CHEN. Not only did it push us internally to review how we interact with our audience, it also marked a pivotal moment for the brand by obtaining international press and industry recognition.
This spotlight brought us disruptive collaborations and through innovation we have been able to connect different seasons, landscapes and cultures in previously unthinkable ways. We are truly re-shaping how we create and how we operate.
Angel Chen, Designer, ANGEL CHEN
Our virtual show for FW20 marked a turning point for ANGEL CHEN. Not only did it push us internally to review how we interact with our audience, it also marked a pivotal moment for the brand by obtaining international press and industry recognition.
This spotlight brought us disruptive collaborations and through innovation we have been able to connect different seasons, landscapes and cultures in previously unthinkable ways. We are truly re-shaping how we create and how we operate.
Angel Chen, Designer, ANGEL CHEN
Creatives today need to be agile, resilient and adaptable to a quickly evolving industry and customer demand. They need to be always looking for how to do it differently and better using new tools and technologies so they can succeed.
Burak Cakmak, Chief Executive Officer of the Fashion Commission, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Culture
Creatives today need to be agile, resilient and adaptable to a quickly evolving industry and customer demand. They need to be always looking for how to do it differently and better using new tools and technologies so they can succeed.
Burak Cakmak, Chief Executive Officer of the Fashion Commission, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Culture
Application Criteria
- The Prize is open to participants who have successfully completed Cohorts 1 to 4 of The Bridge Fashion Incubator (TBFI).
- Applicants must demonstrate excellence in the core areas of design, innovation and technology, sustainability, scalability and compelling storytelling.
- Candidates must be older than 25 and have their business principally based in Asia.
- Design must be an end-product, B2B or B2B2C with a physical or digital representation that solves a problem in the industry.
- Application deadline: 23 June 2021
With the tsunami of technology coming towards us there has never been a more important time to re-imagine fashion . The Vogue Singapore x TaFF Innovation Prize is playing an essential role in supporting and celebrating creative talent who are shape shifting our industry towards a sustainable and digitalised future)
Leslie Holden, Co-Founder, THE DIGITAL FASHION GROUP
With the tsunami of technology coming towards us there has never been a more important time to re-imagine fashion . The Vogue Singapore x TaFF Innovation Prize is playing an essential role in supporting and celebrating creative talent who are shape shifting our industry towards a sustainable and digitalised future)
Leslie Holden, Co-Founder, THE DIGITAL FASHION GROUP
After years of reporting on the intersection of fashion and technology, I have witnessed startups grow to become extremely successful companies, and have identified niche trends that emerge to become highly influential innovations. I am intrigued to apply this experience in a new way. I really admire those who have the audacity to create new ideas, so I hope to foster their growth and support their hard work.
Maghan McDowell, Innovation Editor, Vogue Business
After years of reporting on the intersection of fashion and technology, I have witnessed startups grow to become extremely successful companies, and have identified niche trends that emerge to become highly influential innovations. I am intrigued to apply this experience in a new way. I really admire those who have the audacity to create new ideas, so I hope to foster their growth and support their hard work.
Maghan McDowell, Innovation Editor, Vogue Business
