Deutsche Telekom Launches Fashion Fusion Challenge for Visionaries

Supported by Intel, WIRED, Adidas and #FASHIONTECH, Fashion Fusion is all about providing a platform for visionary ideas and encouraging innovative concepts from young talent.

Recognising partnering is key, Deutsche Telekom’s “Fashion Fusion Challenge” innovation initiative is supported by global technology company Intel, innovation magazine WIRED Germany and sports brand Adidas. On the initiative, the patron of Fashion Fusion and Member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Telekom AG, Claudia Nemat says, “The next big thing in fashion will be apparel and accessories that are smart and connected. The visionary concepts of today might be hanging in your closet tomorrow. That’s why it’s very important for us to be a partner for innovative, connected products and services. With Fashion Fusion, we are connecting important players and promising talents throughout Europe and giving them the opportunity to turn their visions into reality.”

Lisa Lang of ElektroCouture and the curator of the challenge concept adds, “It could be a smart watch or a handbag with a solar-powered charger. Sports apparel that is smart and sustainable through material or product recycling or jackets that switch to an improved insulation mode in winter. Fashion Fusion supports visionary ideas and concepts that have the long-term potential to establish themselves on the market.”

The application phase for the Challenge is open now. Students, young professionals and startups from the fashion, design and technology sectors may submit their concepts. Closing date is 1st August 2016. Applications can be registered in one of the three categories: Connected Devices & Accessories, Digitally Enhanced Fashion and Smart Services. All entries will be judged by Anita Tillmann (Premium Exhibition), Dirk Schönberger (Adidas), Christin Eisenschmid (Intel in Germany), Gesche Joost (Digital Champion) and Nikolaus Röttger (Editor-in-Chief, WIRED Germany).

Supported by hub:raum, Deutsche Telekom’s incubator, ten selected teams will be able to take advantage of a three-month workshop so they can fine-tune their fashion concepts. The participants can also draw upon the Lab’s expertise. Participants will be given accommodation and all the necessary materials needed to bring their ideas to life. The presentation of the prototypes will be at #FASHIONTECH during the Berlin Fashion Week in January 2017. The best team will win a cash prize of 20,000 euros and the opportunity to bring its creation to market, together with Deutsche Telekom and its partners.

Interested? APPLY HERE. Good luck.

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Muchaneta Kapfunde

Founding Editor in Chief at FashNerd.com | editor@fashnerd.com | Website

Founding editor-in-chief of FashNerd.com, Muchaneta is currently one of the leading influencers writing about the merger of fashion with technology and wearable technology. She has also given talks at Premiere Vision, Munich Fabric Start and Pure London, to name a few. Besides working as a fashion innovation consultant for various fashion companies like LVMH Atelier, Muchaneta has also contributed to Vogue Business, is a senior contributor at The Interline and an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion, UAL.