Rwanda-based eco-shoe brand, UZURI K & Y, wins 2021 Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge — Lionesses of Africa

In January 2021, more than 430 startups and scale-ups from 22 countries submitted ideas for this initiative. This reflects Tommy Hilfiger’s vision for sustainability in Waste Nothing and Welcome All. This year’s program specifically aimed to expand and support black, indigenous, and colored (BIPOC) entrepreneurs working to develop the community while fostering a more inclusive future for the fashion industry. Speaking about the initiative, Tommy Hilfiger said, “This powerful challenge has brought together passionate and hard-working individuals with fresh ideas on how to create a fashion future that we all can look forward to. This was an impressive last event. We are proud to continue this journey with entrepreneurs who have presented groundbreaking and influential solutions that challenge our thinking, construction and creation.”

The judges who oversaw the final event of the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge were: Tommy Hilfiger, Martijn Hagman, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe, Yara Shahidi, award-winning actress, producer and change agent; Esther Verburg, EVP, Sustainable Business and Innovation, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe, Adjunct professor of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship and INSEAD entrepreneurship, technology and media; Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, Founding Curator of Amsterdam Global Shaper Hub; and Yvonne Bajela, Founding Member and Principal of Investment Company ImpactX Capital.

The fourth application for the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge will begin in March 2022. Entrepreneurs interested in receiving more information should register at https://platform.younoodle.com/competition/thffc_2022.

To read the Lioness Weekender cover story of Kevine Kagirimpundu, CEO & co-founder of UZURI K&Y, click here: