At an intimate dinner at Cafe Victor, Milanese brand Institution, helmed by Georgian designer Galib Gassanoff, was named the winner of the 2026 Zalando Visionary Award
Yesterday evening, at an intimate candle-lit dinner tucked away on the second floor of beloved Copenhagen restaurant Cafe Victor, Milan-based brand Institution was named the winner of the 2026 Zalando visionary award. “I’m so grateful to the jury,” said founder Galib Gassanoff after he received his literal flowers. “Thank you for considering me and my community and also seeing what we are bringing as a new generation.”
Institution's striking garments are realised using traditional craft techniques . Photo: Polina Vinogradova
Photo: Polina Vinogradova
Photo: Polina Vinogradova
The word community looms large in the Institution universe. More than just a brand, Institution is a movement. Based on Gassanoff’s Azerbaijani heritage (the designer hails from Tbilisi), it operates as a social-artistic organisation, unafraid to challenge structures and norms. Aesthetically, the brand is deeply rooted in craft, drawing on the traditions of local ethnic groups to create a distinctly modern visual universe that revels in texture and striking silhouettes.
This season, all three Zalando Award finalists embody a distinct vision that goes beyond the garments they create. Bespoke UK-based tailoring brand Kyle Ho and Belgian brand Milk of Lime, which explores the relationship between humans and nature, both deliver a clear and potent message. The finalists are further proof of Zalando’s commitment to uplifting brands that, in addition to innovating visually, strive to make a genuine cultural impact. The lasting affect of scooping up the award is palpably felt this season, as former winner Paulino Russo returns to the CPHFW schedule.
Designer Galib Gassanoff with his collection.
Gassanoff, meanwhile, shouted out the community he’s begun building in Copenhagen this week – a community that will surely grow as he stages his Zalando-powered show for CPHFW SS27 in August. “One of my foundations is to pursue my dreams,” he says. “And pursue the dreams of my community.”