External Contests
FIT shares contests and projects that are open to the general public or to the general collegiate population only as a convenience and for informational purposes. FIT does not sponsor, organize, or endorse these contests or projects in any way, and FIT is not responsible for the accuracy, legality, content, or terms of any such contest or project. FIT encourages interested persons to carefully review the terms and conditions of any contest or project before participating and to contact the contest or project sponsor for questions or concerns.
GEMINI Laboratory Global Design Awards
Details: GEMINI Laboratory is a co-creation project aiming to realize a “mirror world”. It
is holding its first design awards competition and is looking for new design approaches
and concrete ideas for an age when the virtual and physical horizons are melding together.
Students are invited to construct an entirely new worldview from materials that may
transcend the five senses, spanning into even time and space.
Submission Deadline: April 29 , 2024
Winners Selected: May 20, 2024
Competition Guidelines: Please build and propose possibilities for worldviews and a data library spanning both the virtual and the physical. *Submissions can relate to any field, such as architecture, interior design, gaming, fashion, movies, and so on. Application Requirements: 1. Title and description of the overall submission; 2. Digital data that makes up the worldview you have created; Deliverables: Image and description, digital data, any other data you like; *As a reference, please check AltField: https://altfield.xyz/; *You are free to use metaskins, spaces, objects, materials, architecture, sounds, video, aromas, etc. 3. Practical application ideas for (2), Deliverables: Illustrative images and descriptions, any other data you like; *Please explain your vision, concept, and specific utilization method in both visual and written forms. *Please fill in the form with all the explanations detailing your submission; *Image format: jpg or png (you can also send in other data such as 3D data, video, etc.); *Data created using generative AI is also acceptable. Please indicate the platform used.
Enter the GEMINI Laboratory Global Design Awards
About GEMINI Laboratory : GEMINI Laboratory is a Co-Creation Project Sponsored By TOPPAN Corporation That Aims To Realize A "Mirror World" Where Physical And Virtual Interact Without Borders Through Co-Creation With Various Players.
19th North American Student Design Competition
Details: The competition was created to promote the use of alpaca fiber in fashion, textile,
and interior design at the fundamental level of educational institutions. The theme
for this year is Alpaca: Sustainability, a new theme reflecting the benefits of alpaca.
Submission Deadline: May 15 , 2024
Winners Selected: July 2024
Competition Guidelines: The entry form must be submitted with the entry board and be signed by the student and include the instructor information. Entry must be designed as a finished collection/group or a single garment constructed of alpaca fabric knit, crocheted, felt, and/or woven. Natural and sustainable fiber blends may be used, but the entire design must be at least 50% alpaca excluding trims. Use of products produced in North America is strongly encouraged. Entry must be a presentation board 20” by 15”, mounted on foam board or a board with the equivalent thickness. It must contain the following elements: Full-color figure sketch, using any media, showing head-to-toe looks. Flats must be included. Additional back or side views, detail close-ups, technical drawings, etc., are encouraged to illustrate the designer’s concept as clearly as possible. Color and fabrication of the design must be shown in yarn samples and/or fabric swatches with captions stating their role in the concept (examples: for jacket, for lining, for color). Original swatches may be constructed by the designer and will add to the overall appeal of the entry. The fiber content of all swatches’ construction must be labeled. Swatches of construction techniques, finishing details, mood photos, dimensional layers, etc. are encouraged and will add to the overall appeal of the entry. These elements must fit within the composition of the board and may not be entered separately. Entry must include a one (1) page essay in a sheet protector attached to the back of the board. The essay will comprise 10% of the total score, and will be judged on the following criteria: the student designer’s understanding of the benefits and properties of alpaca fiber relative to design and theme; the target market/consumer for the design, (information such as age, income, lifestyle, where they would buy the design); the applicability of alpaca fiber to the design and the target market/consumer communicated concisely.
About Alpaca Owners Association, Inc.: AOA was created in 2014 when Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association, Inc. (AOBA) merged into Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI). Prior to the merger, AOBA and ARI represented different parts of the North American alpaca industry. ARI focused on the pedigree registry, scientific research, and alpaca education. AOBA focused on the national show system along with the national alpaca show, judge training system, national marketing, and alpaca education.
Advance Denim Digital Sustainable Denim Competition
Details: Advance Denim’s Digital Sustainable Denim competition promotes the newest innovations
in digital design integrated with fashion art and sustainable denim.
Submission Deadline: May 15 , 2024
Winners Selected: September 2024
Competition Guidelines: This competition is open to students in design majors from any colleges and universities around the world with associate degree/undergraduate/master's/doctoral/equivalent education for application. 1) The content of the work is in line with the theme and design direction of the competition, and men's or women's clothing is also acceptable; 2) All design works must include descriptions of design concepts and popular elements, etc. as well as explanations of denim fabric requirements. 3) Attached with a 1 - 2 minute video explanation for the preliminar y inter view as a real person appearance ( MP 4 file); 4) The entries will be submitted in the form of clothing design renderings, including 1 - 3 sets of clothing, with f i le formats such as JPG/ PPT/ Word/ PDF, and can be hand drawn or computer drawn; 5) The work should be combined with the trend of 2024 , with distinctive design characteristics and commercial feasibility. Adhere to the core values of strengthening cultural confidence and spreading positive energy, and reject works with inappropriate content such as vulgarity and parody.
Enter the contest filling out the application form in excel file and send with all your files to [email protected] by deadline 15 May 2024
About Advance Denim: Advance Denim was found in 1987 and has the distinction of being the oldest denim mill in China and today, with over 1,100 employees, supplies denim to renowned brands around the globe. Advance Denim has a passion for denim and through commitment and constant innovation plans to design the next great denim that will fulfill customers denim dreams and exceed customers’ expectations while always staying true to denim.
Cotton Forward: 3d Fashion Design Challenge
Details: The Cotton Forward: 3D Fashion Challenge introduces students to a unique collection
of digital cotton fabrics with endless possibilities. Sponsor wants to see how these
possibilities inspire you to redefine fashion. Cash prizes will be awarded to the
top 3 designers.
Submission Deadline: May 17 , 2024
Winners Selected: June 2024
Competition Guidelines: Use 3D software (CLO3D or Browzwear VStitcher) to design 1-3 complete, styled looks for any market or product category that uses, or could use, cotton. Designers must use cotton digital fabrics created by Cotton Incorporated, which are compatible with CLO and Browzwear. These digital fabric files are accessible from the CottonWorks™ website, a free resource for producing outstanding cotton products. Entrants can choose any market or product category and may show any combination of markets and product categories in 1-3 complete, styled looks. For example, it’s okay to do one men’s look and two women’s looks in your collection. At least 80% of the design Entry must feature digital cotton fabrics from CottonWorks™. There are about 400 to choose from. Entrants may alter the color and/or print of the digital fabrics. Entrants may add prints to digital fabrics that don’t have one. All Entries will be judged according to the following judging criteria: i. 25% for Authenticity and Originality – the design reflects a unique creative vision; ii. 25% for Design Technique and Quality – the designer has demonstrated technical skill in creating the digital garment(s); iii. 25% for Overall Stylistic Concept – the design is visually appealing and stands out as a work of fashion; and iv. 25% Material Use – the designer has effectively used Fabricast digital fabric selections and has demonstrated an understanding of fabric benefits and performance.
Enter the Cotton Forward: 3d Fashion Design Challenge
About ARTS THREAD: ARTS THREAD is the world’s only creative student and graduate website. It bridges the gap between education and the creative industry. For the first time ever, design students, graduates, universities, schools and the creative industry can network worldwide.
Only Natural Design Competitions 2024
Details: Only Natural challenges you to create an innovative and beautiful design in one
of the three categories – accessories, clothing, footwear – made from only natural
materials. Show our judges and spectators that there is another way – a way without
unnecessary waste and with the planet’s future in mind
Submission Deadline: May 31, 2024
Winners Selected: July 2024
Competition Guidelines: Design a truly bespoke piece of fashion or home item that you would love to wear or to live with , that’s inspired by nature and made from natural materials. Regardless of your passion or chosen category, whether your design draws inspiration from the beauty of nature surrounding you, addresses pressing issues like the decline of coral reefs, the light pollution in our skies, the vast amounts of fast fashion items discarded into landfills annually or whether you choose to design a sofa inspired by the veins of a leaf or a jacket inspired by a 200 million-year-old ammonite – Only Natural encourages entrants to take inspiration from nature, to ignite a passion for the future of our planet and to craft something unique using Only Natural materials. Your design MUST include two or more natural materials from cotton to wool and wood to stone (other materials include but are not limited to bamboo, mohair, hemp, cork, etc.) We accept the use of nature derived products such as glass or metals, where the end result can be recycled and reused. Your design must NOT include Fur or exotic skins such as crocodile, alligator, python or other snakeskin, ostrich skin, plastic, synthetics such as polyester or lycra. Your design CAN include a minimal use of non-natural materials to join natural materials together (e.g. glue, metal screws) or to enhance item’s functionality and durability (e.g. light bulb filaments, electrical cables, ink, paint, varnish, etc). But we encourage you to swap these for natural alternatives where possible for the ease of recycling.
Enter the Only Natural Design Competitions
About ARTS THREAD: ARTS THREAD is the world’s only creative student and graduate website. It bridges the gap between education and the creative industry. For the first time ever, design students, graduates, universities, schools and the creative industry can network worldwide.
2024 Taiwan Fashion Design Award
Details: Organized by Taiwan’s Industrial Development Administration (IDA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and executed by Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), Taiwan Fashion Design Award (TFDA) is an important platform for the fashion industry to discover talents and promote exchanges. It has provided a great platform for talented and creative young designers to showcase their skills and supported by the industry for 38 years. Beyond that, participants can also engage in a rich exchange of ideas, challenge their boundaries, and stimulate more creative sparks.
Submission Deadline: June 30 , 2024
Winners Selected: October 2024
Competition Guidelines: Open to emerging designers worldwide, 2024 TFDA competition invites submissions until June 30. In mid-July, 12 outstanding designers will be selected by international experts to enter the finals. The finalists will receive free air tickets and accommodation in Taiwan to participate in a runway show and relevant fashion activities. There are no restrictions on the theme of the competition, giving participants plenty of freedom to observe and approach their designs from various aspects, integrating elements such as CREATIVITY, SUSTAINABILITY, FUNCTION and PERFORMANCE. Moreover, advancements in technology, such as generative AI patterns, style design, and 3D printing, have opened up more creative possibilities. If contestants can make good use of it and implement it in their designs, more unique and forward-looking works will stand out.
Enter 2024 Taiwan Fashion Design Award
About Taiwan Textile Federation: In 1975, the European Economic Community (EEC) decided to impose import quotas on the major textile suppliers to Europe to protect its textile industry. Since Taiwan did not have diplomatic relations with any of the EEC member countries, the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) under the guidance of the government was established to maintain the interests of Taiwan's textile industry in the European market and represent the government to negotiate with the EEC on November 25th, 1975. After its establishment, the TTF gradually expanded the scope of its services, in line with the development of the Taiwan textile industry. Today, its services include market development, organization of trade shows, textile product design and development, fashion trend analysis and forecasting, e-commerce promotion, design and fabrication of apparel samples, training in apparel pattern making, collection and analysis of market information, the certification system of “Taiwan Functional Textiles”, publications of textile information, issuing Certificates of Origin.
Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition
Details: Are you concerned about fast throwaway fashion and unsustainable materials? According
to Greenpeace, synthetics – made using petrochemicals from the oil industry – now
make up 60% of our clothing. These clothes not only take hundreds of years to biodegrade
but are often cheap and poorly made. The result — nearly one billion items of clothing,
each typically worn just five times — are thrown away every year.
Submission Deadline: June 30 , 2024
Winners Selected: July 2024
Competition Guidelines: You are asked to use leather as the inspiration for a single item , either clothing, shoes, or accessories . Entries must be at least 50% cattle hide leather and any other materials used must be natural or organic materials where possible. We do not accept the use of fur or exotic skins. Plastics must only be used where no natural alternatives are available. We would like your piece to capture one or more of the facets of leather, from beauty and versatility to strength and durability. Entries should include all these elements - 1. A brief summary of your project provided in English. 2. Storyboards and design inspiration. 3. Sketches, flats, technical specifications, and final design (the item does not need to be physically made at this stage). 4. A short two-minute video to introduce you and your design. This is optional but encouraged, as it would make a great addition to your entry. Please give consideration to ease of recycling, reuse and disposal at the end of the product’s life, and also think about the practicalities of commercial production, as we are looking for designers who will start new brands, fashion movements or style trends.
Enter the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition
About ARTS THREAD: ARTS THREAD is the world’s only creative student and graduate website. It bridges the gap between education and the creative industry. For the first time ever, design students, graduates, universities, schools and the creative industry can network worldwide.
Kyoto Global Design Awards
Details: Kyoto Global Design Awards honors extraordinary designers from around the world.
Jury members are diverse, independent and are responsible for selecting award-winning
design projects, thus proving the quality and value of student's work.
Submission Deadline: August 31 , 2024
Winners Selected: October 2024
Competition Guidelines: Each Kyoto Global Design Awards winner has undergone an extensive review process. Award winners are selected through a series of reviews and evaluations that look at their trend-setting capabilities and influence from various angles. The Kyoto Global Design Awards jury is composed of high-level experts from multiple fields, including design, art and culture and environment. Entries are reviewed from various angles, with a focus on lifestyle and human nature. Judges look for designs that impact an entire field and lead to new opportunities for creative or business collaboration.
Enter Kyoto Global Design Awards
About Kyoto Global Design Awards: (KGDA) is an international design competition established in 2019, with the aim of recognizing outstanding designers from across the globe. With its headquarters in the Netherlands, KGDA intends to become one of the most prestigious design awards in the Asia-Pacific region. As a means of promoting collaboration between design and society, KGDA provides designers from around the world with an opportunity to showcase their work, regardless of their country of origin or background.
Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024
Details: The Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024 is your chance to share your creative
work alongside your peers from around the world and get it judged by industry leaders.
Last year's Global Design Graduate Show was a huge success with 5823 entries representing
117 countries from 472 higher education institutions. It is your chance to curate
your creative personality by mixing research with 2D/3D development documenting all
the different creative and technical development stages up to the final outcome. It
would be good to know your personal creative journey, whether by photo or film.
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2024
Winners Selected: October 2024
Competition Guidelines: Open to all undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate art and design disciplines for those that have graduated between September 2023 - August 2024 (Southern Hemisphere graduating after September 2023). Awards will be given in a variety of categories - FASHION / ACCESSORIES / TEXTILES / DIGITAL / VISUAL COMM / FILM, PRODUCT / ARCHITECTURE / INTERIORS, FINE ART / PHOTOGRAPHY / CRAFT / JEWELLERY. Please note there are many specialisms within ARTSTHREAD you can tag yourself to.
Enter the 2024 Global Design Graduate Show
About ARTS THREAD: ARTS THREAD is the world’s only creative student and graduate website. It bridges the gap between education and the creative industry. For the first time ever, design students, graduates, universities, schools and the creative industry can network worldwide.
The Functional Clothing Contest
Details: Team FTC 2025 invites entries for the “Functional Clothing Contest” to be held as
part of the 4th International Conference on Functional Textiles and Clothing FTC2025.
This unique contest aims to showcase functional clothing on the catwalk for the first
time. Functional clothing could be Protective, Medical or Assistive, may enhance Sports
performance or may have body shaping or any other capabilities. The functional elements
should be discreet and not obvious. Innovative design, materials and construction
may be used to create these clothing pieces. This contest aims to both demonstrate
the possibilities of this new and exciting field and to encourage contestants to think
and design creatively to incorporate functionality into clothing.
Submission Deadline: September 15 , 2024
Winners Selected: February 2025
Competition Guidelines: The submission shall comprise of : Completed Personal Information Form
A concept note of the designed clothing, indicating the functionality(Protective/
Sports/ Medical/ Assistive/ Other), and A Project Portfolio (digital) including the
Research (optional), Design development, Technical Drawings, Material Swatches, HD
Images/photos of the clothing designed or Rendered sketches/illustrations of the clothing
design and References. A video presentation, not exceeding 1 min, explaining the main
features of your garment can also be sent). Entries from Fashion Schools must be accompanied
by a forwarding letter from the Head of Department. Conveyance of Short-listed concepts
: October 15, 2024; Registration by the participants for participating in the show:
November 1, 2024; Final Show: Demonstration of the final garment on the ramp (8th
February 2025); Short-listed contestants will be required to display their functional
clothing live and in person at FTC 2025. Designs must be worn by a team-member/end-user
who will demonstrate the ease-of-use and functionality of the clothing, while showing
their design on the catwalk. Evaluation Criteria: The entries will be judged on the
following criteria by a distinguished panel of experts – Functionality, Wearability,
Novelty, Aesthetics, and Catwalk Presentation.
Enter the contest by sending all materials via WeTransfer (www.wetransfer.com) to [email protected]
About Functional Textiles & Clothing Conference: (FTC) is a biannual conference held at IIT Delhi, New Delhi, that brings leading scientists, researchers, designers, and the textile and apparel industry together, to enable exchanges on latest scientific findings, design developments, cutting edge technologies, innovations, trends, concerns, challenges, and opportunities in the field of Functional Textiles and Clothing. Three editions of FTC have been held in 2018, 2020 and 2023, each of which saw participation from nearly 80 universities across the world.