We're happy to share that Ducky Zebra has won Silver for Best Unisex Fashion Collection at the Junior Design Awards 2026 for our Highland Pals Collection.

This is our third Junior Design Award since 2023, which feels pretty incredible for our small independent brand. The Junior Design Awards celebrate the best in children's design, innovation and style, with entries judged by a panel of experts from across the children's fashion industry. This year's panel included buyers from John Lewis and Luna & Curious, alongside leading stylists, editors and content creators.

Why did Ducky Zebra win a Junior Design Award?

We were particularly happy to read why the judges chose Ducky Zebra. As well as the quality and design of the clothes, they picked up on the values behind the brand and our aim to create playful children's clothing without the usual gender stereotypes. The Junior Design Awards judging panel said:

“Beautifully made, featuring the sweetest highland theme, these soft organic cotton separates are the kind of clothes that embed themselves into children's most joyful memories. The panel loved the ethos of this brand, that makes clothes that reinforce values of kindness, confidence and curiosity with no sniff of the gender stereotyping, that can narrow ideas about who children should be from far too early in their lives.”

What did the Junior Design Awards judges say?

The judges' individual comments this year meant a lot because they touched upon so many of the things we care about at Ducky Zebra: challenging gender stereotypes, celebrating kindness and confidence, creating clothes that are practical for children to wear and adding playful details that children can enjoy. Here are a few of the judges' comments:

• “A playful collection with a clear brand identity and a lovely message celebrating kindness and adventure." - Charlotte Kewley, Stylist & Founder of The Little Stylist
• “Joyful unisex clothing that kids can play in and feel inspired by." - Bonita Turner, Editor of Junior
• “The quality looks amazing and I love the retro colours of this collection! A refreshing change for the obvious pink for girls and blue for boys." - Florrie Thomas, Stylist and Brand Consultant
• "Really like the brand name and the durability and functionality of the pieces." - Naomi Alderton, John Lewis Buyer
• “Well done on the practical element with zips. Strong brand identity, good storytelling. Excellent finish and quality." - Polly George, Rheanna Lingham and Kaoru Parry, Co-founders and Buyers at Luna & Curious
• “An otter and a highland cow in a rowing boat? A kingfisher embroidered on a pocket? These are the details I want to see in a children's clothing collection!” - Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, Junior

Our third Junior Design Award

This is now the third time Ducky Zebra has been recognised at the Junior Design Awards. In 2023/24, we won Gold for Best Unisex Fashion Collection. In 2025, our Ducky Zebra x Roald Dahl collection won Silver for Best Children's Sleepwear Collection. And now, in 2026, our Highland Pals collection has won Silver for Best Unisex Fashion Collection.

To have three different collections recognised by the Junior Design Awards means such a lot, particularly when the judges' comments reflect so many of the things we set out to achieve with Ducky Zebra.

You can read the full Junior Design Awards judging comments on their website, and explore our award-winning Highland Pals Collection here.