Changemaker
of the Year 2025
WINNER
— Mats Rombaut
Born in Ghent and now based in Paris, this multidisciplinary creative launched his first independent footwear project, ROMBAUT, in 2013. His mission is to transform the fashion industry from within by creating plant-based accessories with a reduced environmental impact. As the Creative Director and Founder of ROMBAUT and Co-Founder of Virón – another independent footwear brand offering eco-friendly, durable, vegan and ethically made shoes – he is at the forefront of sustainable fashion. Additionally, he works as a Creative Consultant and Sustainability Expert, drawing inspiration from natural and scientific processes, art, and especially music. 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of the brand and included collaborations with Puma and Iris Van Herpen.
Picture © ROMBAUTS x Puma
— Ann Claes & Jasmien Wynants
Masjien is an agency at the intersector of fashion, sustainability and technology. when a techno-optimist joins forces with an award-winning sustainability expert, the goal is nothing less than to revolutionize and impact, Masjien harnesses the power of sutainability and technology to push fashion forward. From strategic consultancy and inspiring keynotes tp hands-on project management, Jasmien Wynants and Ann Claes educate, engage and ignite dialogue around the future fashion. In 2025 they launched Josie, a unique AI chatbot for all fashion greenwashing questions, and MOTOR – a digital fashion movement that unites and amplifies boundary – pushing creatives. the Berlin edition showcased 12 creative talents as the first official digital side event of Berlin Fashion Weel. The children’s book ‘Do Pants Grow on Trees?’ that inspires the next generation to question fashion’s footprint, has already been reprinted in three languages.
Picture © Alex Kolotoukhina
— Tom Van der Borght
Tom Van der Borght graduated from the Stedelijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten in Sint Niklaas in 2012 and launched his eponymous label shortly afterwards. Winner of the Première Vision Grand Prize as well as the Public Prize at the 35th International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Fashion Accessories of Hyères in 2020, Tom discovered at the age of 27 that he suffers from a hereditary neuropathic muscle disorder, which confronted him with the question: what is really important in life? This was the cathartic moment he decided to study fashion design and pursue his childhood dreams. From 2012 to 2016, he had the pleasure to show his work during Berlin, Paris, London and Panama Fashion Week. His collections were sold in the USA, Japan and across Europe. In 2025 there was a collaboration with David Byrne and a solo exhibition titled ‘Not Looking Back’. Van der Borght also collaborated on an exhibition for Osaka ’25 and won the Grand prix Hyères.