One to Watch

 

This year, we’re looking to find the most innovative materials start-ups that solve a real-world problem for fashion retailers and brands. 

View the criteria to find out more below.

Open to material/fabric start-ups that have been trading in the UK and/or Ireland for between one and three years.

The One to Watch award recognises emerging sustainable materials that are built on driving positive change within the industry.

From mushroom and pineapple ‘leather’ to fermented protein fibres, we are looking for innovative fabrics that have a conscious fashion ethos at their heart and are also commercially viable – entrants must be able to demonstrate early signs of financial success and proof of scalability.

Qualifying period 1 January 2026 - 31 December 2026

Criteria against which you will be judged:

  • Does the material have clear sustainable and ethical aims and objectives? 
  • Has the start-up outlined its processes, supply chain and strategy? 
  • Does it meet a clear need in the market? 
  • Is it scalable? Do you have a clear strategy for growth?
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The top three entries will be shortlisted by the Drapers team and they will be invited to present their businesses to judges and attendees on stage during the Drapers Conscious Fashion Summit.  

Each start-up has 4 minutes to pitch their concepts to the judging panel on-stage, in front of the audience. The judging panel have 4 minutes after each individual pitch to ask any questions they might have. 

Once each of the companies have pitched, the audience will vote for their winner, and judges will deliberate their winner off-stage. 

The combined outcomes will determine the final decision (with 50% of the decision from the audience). Note: the result of the audience vote will remain anonymous – we won’t show results on-stage. 


Conscious Fashion Champion 


The Drapers team will be awarding an individual that has made great strides to transform the fashion industry into a force for good. This will be announced at the end of day during the Summit. 

In 2026 Amy Powney, founder of Akyn, was crowned for her work in championing ethical activism and transparent supply chain.