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—a purpose-driven initiative that aims to champion Southeast Asian creatives on a global stage—it has spotlighted several outstanding talent over the past three years.
In 2020, 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. Lastly, research and development company COzTERRA emerged triumphant last year, with its state-of-the-art solutions to combat climate change through enabling individuals to become carbon capture agents. Driven by artificial intelligence (AI), COzTERRA creates materials that can absorb carbon dioxide from the air, providing a revolutionary means of reducing CO2 pollution.
Now on to its fourth iteration, this year sees Vogue Singapore partner up once again with luxury automobiles and motorcycles manufacturer BMW. With 30 global production sites and a sprawling network that spans over 140 countries, the company is a pioneer in next-generation innovations and is constantly paving the way for a future that is uncompromisingly electric, digital, and circular.
Shares Managing Director of BMW Group Asia, Lars Nielsen: “Coming off the heels from the incredibly successful inaugural Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize in 2023, we’re committed to elevating the experience in 2024. Embracing our dedication to nurturing creativity and empowering emerging talents in ASEAN, we are excited to announce not one, but two special guests from the BMW Group. Joining the jury is Dr. Stella Clarke, a visionary Development Engineer, while Dr. Renzo Vitale, the trailblazing Creative Director of Sound, will serve as a mentor. When creative minds come together, sparks fly! Be it digitalization, groundbreaking ideas, or cutting-edge design, collaboration is the driving force propelling us into the future.”
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 instance the new BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, spearheaded by 2023 Innovation Prize mentor, and 2024 Innovation Prize Jury member, research engineer Dr. Stella Clarke. The latest development in colour-changing technology, the vehicle’s sleek exterior integrates Ndebele paintings from prolific South African artist Esther Mahlangu.
Aside from the bold animations, the car also features an equally extraordinary sound mix of high and low intensities, specially composed through combining Mahlangu’s voice, the sounds of her feathered paintbrushes and the acoustic signal heard as feedback when operating the BMW i5’s touch display. “The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA honours the history of the BMW brand and continues the story of our global cultural engagement in a unique way. It combines art and design through progressive technology. Here, technology itself becomes art,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.
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 and industry leaders. Following that, 10 shortlisted businesses will be selected to undergo a four-week mentorship programme where they will be guided on building robust business models. Through a pitch and selection process, 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 include—but are not limited to—Publisher of Vogue Singapore Bettina von Schlippe, Vice President Greater China & Asia Pacific of Farfetch Alexis Bonhomme, Creative Editorial Director of Vogue US Mark Guiducci, Vice President of New Business Innovation at Condé Nast Ciara Byrne, and Research Engineer Open Innovations of BMW Group Dr. Stella Clarke.
The winner takes home $20,000, alongside a complimentary 1-year membership at Singapore Fashion Council 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, a pro bono legal consultation from leading global law firm Gibson Dunn, as well as first-hand feedback from global industry leaders and introductions to potential investors for funding. Additionally, included is an all-expenses paid trip to Monaco for an innovation-packed itinerary including mentorship sessions, workshops, investor meetings, and events, courtesy of VisitMonaco.
To apply, please fill out the form here. Applications will close at 11.59pm on 4 August 2024.
