Over the years, the Vogue Innovation Prize has remained one of the fundamental drivers behind Vogue Singapore’s ongoing mission to uplift and support regional trailblazers. Introduced as part of the Vogue Singapore Foundation—an initiative that aims to champion Southeast Asian creatives on a global stage—the Prize provides a platform for Asian fashion entrepreneurs to showcase their revolutionary ideas, receive mentorship from industry experts, and secure the resources needed to accelerate their ventures.
In 2021, the inaugural iteration of the Innovation Prize saw Singaporean fashion designer Claudia Poh take home the winning prize with her adaptive fashion label, Wearable. The following year, Adrian Furstenburg and Viknish Krishnan-Kutty’s ProjectEx pioneered the cultivation of lab-grown exotic skins in response to the fashion industry’s demand for rare leathers. Then, research and development company COzTERRA won in 2023, with its state-of-the-art solutions to combat climate change through enabling individuals to become carbon capture agents. Lastly, Hong Kong-based smart wardrobe service PAKT emerged victorious last year, with its state-of-the-art storage and optimisation functions that looked to revolutionise wardrobe organisation and management.
Returning for its fifth iteration, Vogue Singapore partners up once again with luxury automobiles and motorcycles manufacturer BMW. With 30 global production sites and a sprawling network that spans over 140 countries, BMW is a pioneer in next-generation innovations and is constantly paving the way for a future that is uncompromisingly electric, digital, and circular.
“BMW Group Asia is extremely excited to partner with the Vogue Singapore Foundation for the third year in a row as they kick of the fifth edition of the Vogue Singapore Innovation Prize,” said Lars Nielsen, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia. “Since our partnership began in 2023, we have worked closely with the team at the Vogue Singapore Foundation to help uncover some of the most interesting and innovative trailblazers in the region. This year, we are excited to participate actively in the competition once again, with prominent leaders from BMW taking on mentor and juror roles. Being at the forefront of innovation ourselves, we believe the Vogue Singapore Innovation Prize is the perfect platform to ignite sparks between creative minds, fellow jurors and mentors from the fashion industry and beyond.”
Together with the Vogue Singapore Foundation, the company aims to drive the future by identifying and supporting emerging fashion and beauty businesses that embody fresh thinking and innovation to solve real-world problems. Leading by example, the automobile giant’s state-of-the-art products each encompass qualities of digital innovation or preservation. Take, for example, the ‘Heart of Joy’ central control unit—a further development for Neue Klasse that enhances sustainable electric mobility and energy usage. Combining both the drive and brake system algorithms and allowing them to work in symbiosis to recuperate energy, the result is one that boasts energy efficiency by up to 25 percent—in turn increasing range and minimising latencies to milliseconds.
Ahead of this partnership, here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know to apply.
Who can apply for the Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize?
Applicable fashion or beauty businesses may fall under one or more of the following categories:
- Businesses that champion sustainability and drive towards a circular economy
- Businesses that employ technology or innovations in new and novel ways
- Businesses that re-think current models, systems or products to better serve our society and planet
If your business has a footprint in ASEAN and falls under one or more of the three mentioned categories, you are eligible to apply. If you are a trailblazing fashion or beauty entrepreneur who is driven by problem-solving, revolutionary technology or environmental responsibility and with interests across accessible design, eco-sustainability, digital fashion and more, this is for you.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a two day bootcamp with global industry figures
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a two-day bootcamp led by global laureate speakers, which include Corey Moran, Head of Industry, Fashion and Luxury at Google, Annie Lindmark, Program Director Innovation at the H&M Foundation and many others. This year, Vogue Singapore is partnered with Brinc, a global leader in venture acceleration with over 260 companies in its portfolio. Currently operating over 15 programs across seven countries, Brinc is focused on supporting startups in climate tech, food tech, blockchain, IOT, AI and Web3. Brinc will provide tailored support in fundraising, growth and commercialisation strategy to startups participating in the bootcamp.
Following the bootcamp, 10 shortlisted businesses will be selected to progress into a 3-week mentorship period, with tailored support provided by Brinc, and which will culminate in a pitch day that brings together leading investors across the industry. Three finalists will then present their business plan to an international VIP Jury who will be judging on use of innovation, product, design and execution, sustainability and the business and marketing plan to ensure scalability. This year’s jury members consists of—but are not limited to—Publisher-at-Large of Vogue Singapore Bettina von Schlippe, Publisher of Vogue Singapore Natasha Damodaran, Founder of Trinity Asia Alexis Bonhomme and Vice President of New Business Innovation at Condé Nast Ciara Byrne.
This year’s winner takes home $20,000, alongside a complimentary 4-night stay at the Metropole Hotel in Monaco and much more
This year, the winner will receive a monetary prize of SGD$20,000, media coverage on Vogue Singapore, a 1-year complimentary membership at the Singapore Fashion Council, as well as first-hand feedback from global industry leaders and introductions to potential investors for funding. Additionally, included is a complimentary 4-night stay at the Metropole Hotel in Monaco and dinner at 2 Michelin star restaurant Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, alongside mentorship sessions and presentations hosted by Monegasque institutions such as MonacoTech.
To apply, please fill out the form here. Applications will close at 11.59pm on 13 April 2025.
Learn more about the Vogue Singapore Foundation and subscribe to Club Vogue.
