Black-owned Brands Accelerator

Black-owned Brands Accelerator

Meet the brands

A six-month accelerator programme designed by Zalando in partnership with ADAN that upskills small Black-owned brands with the knowledge they need to expand their businesses onto big e-commerce platforms such as Zalando.

Meet the Brands
[About the accelerator]

The Black-owned Brands Accelerator is the right programme for you 

[01]

Increase your operational experience and knowledge

Build your expertise and operational experience to work with online retailers such as Zalando. You will learn what it takes to comply with onboarding requirements and become familiar with topics such as product quality and safety, logistics, and finance operations.

[02]

Build a stronger brand presence and marketing strategy

You will learn from our experts how to build a stronger brand identity and marketing strategy to increase your brand’s visibility and PR reach.

[03]

Grow your network and access to experts for impactful support

Learn valuable insights from Zalando's experts and gain access to their network as Europe’s leading platform for fashion and lifestyle e-commerce. Receive tailored guidance from seasoned professionals in creating diverse and sustainable growth.

[Participating in this edition]
[
01
/07]

Meet the brands

Baptiste

BAPTISTE is a luxury British womenswear brand that showcases bold design and handmade artistry. It offers visionary collections in limited series that reflect an elegant use of graphic features and deluxe textures. Its timeless designs carry an assured spirit, ensuring enviable quality through a focus on cut, fabric, and craft.

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[Founded]
2022
[Founded by]
Jenine Baptiste
[Category]
Apparel, Accessories

Emeka

EMEKA is an innovative brand that redefines fashion through a commitment to upcycling. It transforms discarded materials into clothing with a unique story. Their approach champions a circular economy that minimises environmental impact while celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and reimagining waste into something beautiful and functional.

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[Founded]
2020
[Founded by]
Sydney Nwakanma
[Category]
Apparel, Accessories

Emile Vidal Carr

Emile Vidal Carr is an international womenswear brand that creates highly engineered signature garments. Using technical principles derived from other disciplines, such as art and architecture, Emile Vidal Carr combines unusual textures and modern silhouettes to create vivid experiences for his clientele.

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[Founded]
2013
[Founded by]
Emile Vidal Carr
[Category]
Apparel

GRAVALOT

Gravalot is an Afro-Contemporary menswear label that centres on the historical exploration of Black cultures. With the help of local artisans, they craft sharply tailored garments using modern and traditional materials. Their philosophy emphasises dignity in labour, fair pay, and sustainable practices, including efforts toward net-zero emissions.

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[Founded]
2014
[Founded by]
Onye Anuna, Prince Comrie
[Category]
Apparel, Accessories

Imi & Kimi

IMI & KIMI effortlessly blend French savoir-faire with Afro heritage and American culture. Since 2015, the brand has sought to represent their heritage and to communicate their story for the next generation. With garments that imbue history, political expression and stylish elegance, they teach the youth to be proud of where you come from.

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[Founded]
2019
[Founded by]
Henri-Philippe Maïdou
[Category]
Apparel

Larallan

LarAllan is a slow-fashion accessories brand for the mid-level luxury consumer. They create covetable handbags that signal elegance without compromising quality or affordability. Their ethos involves three central commitments: function, statement, and price accessibility. LarAllan works with best-in-class artisans to deliver evening and everyday bags that start a conversation.

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[Founded]
2018
[Founded by]
Lara Olutunbi
[Category]
Apparel

Omôl

OMÔL believe that fashion should be bold, expressive, and above all, empowering. Statement prints, textures and eye-catching accessories are the brand’s signature. Their designs celebrate modernity, culture and Cameroonian craftsmanship. Every piece is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of femininity and individuality.

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[Founded]
2022
[Founded by]
Nathalie Moth
[Category]
Apparel, Footwear, Accessories

Omôl

OMÔL believe that fashion should be bold, expressive, and above all, empowering. Statement prints, textures and eye-catching accessories are the brand’s signature. Their designs celebrate modernity, culture and Cameroonian craftsmanship. Every piece is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of femininity and individuality.

See more

Larallan

LarAllan is a slow-fashion accessories brand for the mid-level luxury consumer. They create covetable handbags that signal elegance without compromising quality or affordability. Their ethos involves three central commitments: function, statement, and price accessibility. LarAllan works with best-in-class artisans to deliver evening and everyday bags that start a conversation.

See more

Imi & Kimi

IMI & KIMI effortlessly blend French savoir-faire with Afro heritage and American culture. Since 2015, the brand has sought to represent their heritage and to communicate their story for the next generation. With garments that imbue history, political expression and stylish elegance, they teach the youth to be proud of where you come from.

See more

Gravalot

Gravalot is an Afro-Contemporary menswear label that centres on the historical exploration of Black cultures. With the help of local artisans, they craft sharply tailored garments using modern and traditional materials. Their philosophy emphasises dignity in labour, fair pay, and sustainable practices, including efforts toward net-zero emissions.

See more

Emile Vidal Carr

Emile Vidal Carr is an international womenswear brand that creates highly engineered signature garments. Using technical principles derived from other disciplines, such as art and architecture, Emile Vidal Carr combines unusual textures and modern silhouettes to create vivid experiences for his clientele.

See more

Emeka

EMEKA is an innovative brand that redefines fashion through a commitment to upcycling. It transforms discarded materials into clothing with a unique story. Their approach champions a circular economy that minimises environmental impact while celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and reimagining waste into something beautiful and functional.

See more

Baptiste

BAPTISTE is a luxury British womenswear brand that showcases bold design and handmade artistry. It offers visionary collections in limited series that reflect an elegant use of graphic features and deluxe textures. Its timeless designs carry an assured spirit, ensuring enviable quality through a focus on cut, fabric, and craft.

See more
[Programme overview]

Have a look at our programme’s modules

[
]
Module 1

Marketing strategies for continued success and building your brand presence

Identify the building blocks of an authentic brand identity and learn how to translate this into a cohesive marketing strategy and strong social media presence.

Meet the tutors
Module 2

Meeting the standards of product quality and safety 

An overview of EU legislation and Zalando’s requirements on product quality and safety. Learn more about testing processes and quality checks to ensure that your products meet your customers’ expectations.

Meet the tutors
Module 3

Logistics and supply chain solutions

A deep dive into the vast logistic network of Zalando and ZEOS. Highlighting opportunities, challenges and delivery requirements when it comes to serving customers in up to 25 markets.

Meet the tutors
Module 4

Cracking finance operations

Learn all about payment terms, discounts and penalties and build a flawless invoicing process to improve the cash flow of your business.

Meet the tutors
Module 5

Brand building from a buyer’s perspective

Explore the different factors that contribute to a brand's attractiveness in the eyes of a fashion buyer and learn strategies to demonstrate your unique brand assets.

Meet the tutors
Module 6

How to become e-commerce-ready

Learn the onboarding process of online retailers such as Zalando, understand the assortment basics (e.g. seasons, pricing, stock, etc.) and how to trade in e-commerce.

Meet the tutors
[Requirements]

Who can apply for the Accelerator programme ? 

The Black-owned Brands Accelerator is designed for small fashion brands that are looking to expand their business to major e-commerce platforms such as Zalando, but feel they are missing knowledge or skills to make this happen. Given Zalando’s ongoing strategic focus on becoming a partner of choice for fashion brands that cater for or stem from underrepresented groups, this accelerator programme is aimed at supporting fashion brands, designers and owners from the Black community. 

Requirements to apply to the Black-owned Brands Accelerator:

[1] Your brand is a fashion brand.

[2] Your brand is Black-owned (at least 50% of the owners identify as Black).

[3] Your business has an EU VAT number.

[4] Your yearly business turnover is at least 20.000 and does not exceed 499.000 EUR.

[5] You are actively selling via your own website and/or other online retailers.

[6] You would be interested in selling your assortment on Zalando.

[7] You are able to submit a brand presentation with your application.

[8] You are able to commit to a six-month digital accelerator programme with on average 2-5 hours online learning per month and an in-person pitch event in Berlin, at the end of the programme. 

Applications are now closed, but don't miss out! Stay in the loop by following us on Instagram and TikTok where you’ll find updates, behind-the-scenes content, expert tips from our mentors, and exclusive early access to future opportunities.

[Benefits]

What’s in it
for you? 

[01]

FREE UPSKILLING MODULES

We’re confident that the different modules, covering planning, compliance, logistics & operations, finance, and marketing will make your brand operationally ready to scale up in the near future. 

[04]

SHOWCASE TO ZALANDO BUYERS

The opportunity to showcase your assortment to Zalando buyers during a Pitch Day at the end of the programme. This is your chance to prove you’re ready to sell your assortment on Zalando.

[02]

ACCESS TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS

The upskilling modules will be designed with and delivered by internal Zalando tutors who are experts within their fields and are looking forward to sharing their insights with you.

[03]

NETWORKING

We hope the accelerator programme will be a safer space to share experiences, challenges, and solutions with a network of highly motivated peers of a similar growth stage. Moreover, you’ll connect with a selection of industry experts in various business-related domains. 

[01]

FREE UPSKILLING MODULES

We’re confident that the different modules, covering planning, compliance, logistics & operations, finance, and marketing will make your brand operationally ready to scale up in the near future. 

[02]

ACCESS TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS

The upskilling modules will be designed with and delivered by internal Zalando tutors who are experts within their fields and are looking forward to sharing their insights with you.

[03]

NETWORKING

We hope the accelerator programme will be a safer space to share experiences, challenges, and solutions with a network of highly motivated peers of a similar growth stage. Moreover, you’ll connect with a selection of industry experts in various business-related domains. 

[04]

SHOWCASE TO ZALANDO BUYERS

The opportunity to showcase your assortment to Zalando buyers during a Pitch Day at the end of the programme. This is your chance to prove you’re ready to sell your assortment on Zalando.

[Inspirational Stories]

meet the selection panel

The selection of the five applicants is fundamental to the success of the Black-owned Brands Accelerator programme. For this, we’ve put together a designated selection panel that will be in charge of reviewing all applications and identifying the most promising candidates. On this page you can get to know the various industry experts who will evaluate your brands’ creativity, innovation and market potential.

Allie Bangura - Founder of ADAN

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Barbara Kennedy Brown - Co-Founder of Fashion Minority Alliance

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Lena-Sophie Roeper - General Manager for the Designer Proposition at Zalando

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Stella Jean - Fashion Designer

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Jean-Claude Mpassy - Editor and stylist

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[
]
[Application process]

How it works

[01]

Fill out the application form

Applications are open from 12th June 2024 to 31st August 2024 23:59 CEST.

[02]

SELECTION

Our selection panel will decide together on a careful selection of the five most promising brands among the applicants. We wish you all the best of luck!

[04]

Modules Calendar

If your brand has been selected, you will receive a calendar with the exact dates of the online modules, the open hours with the tutors and the date of the in-person Pitch Day in Berlin.

[03]

Confirmation of your participation

If your brand has been selected to participate in the Black-owned Brands Accelerator, you will hear from us via email by 20th September 2024. If you do not hear from us, please consider your application as declined.

Apply now
[FAQs]

Anything unclear?

[FAQs]

Anything unclear?

What is the Black-owned Brands Accelerator, and who is it designed for?

The Black-owned Brands Accelerator is a digital accelerator programme designed for small fashion brands that are looking to expand their business to major e-commerce platforms such as Zalando, but feel they are missing knowledge or skills to make this happen. Given Zalando’s ongoing strategic focus on becoming a partner of choice for fashion brands that cater for or stem from underrepresented groups, this accelerator programme is aimed at supporting fashion brand designers and owners from the Black community.

How does the Black-owned Brands Accelerator work, and what are the key focus areas?

The programme consists of six digital upskilling modules. The modules focus on brand building, onboarding requirements, marketing, product quality and safety, logistics, and finance operations. After completing the modules, an in-person Pitch Day will take place in Berlin to give brands the opportunity to showcase their assortment to Zalando’s buyers.

What are the expected outcomes for brands joining the programme?

Through the upskilling modules brands will have gained the necessary knowledge to successfully carry out the onboarding process at Zalando and any online retailer. At the end of the programme, brands are given the opportunity to showcase their assortment to Zalando’s Buyers. Yet, it cannot be guaranteed that the brands will be onboarded on Zalando as this depends on the fulfilment of their learning objectives.  

How can my brand apply for the Black-owned Brands Accelerator, and what are the eligibility criteria?

You can submit your application via this form by 31st August 2024 23:59 CEST. It is required that:

[1] Your brand is a fashion brand.
[2] Your brand is Black-owned (at least 50% of the owners identify as Black).
[3] Your business has an  EU VAT number.
[4] Your yearly business turnover is at least 20.000 and does not exceed 499.000 EUR.
[5] You are actively selling via your own website and/or other online retailers.
[6] You would be interested in selling your assortment on Zalando.
[7] You are able to submit a brand presentation with your application.
[8] You are able to commit to a six-month digital accelerator programme with on average 2-5 hours online learning per month and an in-person pitch event in Berlin, at the end of the programme. 

Please note that you won’t automatically be assigned a place in the programme. Applications will undergo a selection and only 5 brands will make it into the programme.

Is there a cost associated with participating in the Black-owned Brands Accelerator?

No, the Black-owned Brands Accelerator is free of charge. However, you will receive a 300 EUR stipend to cover part of your travel expenses for the Pitch Day in Berlin.

Apply now
Are the modules digital?

Yes, all modules are digital and will take place on Google meet. The only part of the programme that is in-person is the Pitch Day in Berlin at the end of the programme (planned in February 2025).

In which language will the accelerator programme take place?

English.

Who can I contact in case I have any questions?