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.

The 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. It’s time to challenge the fast fashion business model and all those who say no to nature by designing beautiful, durable clothes from natural fibres that people will want to wear longer, and that will last longer.

Submission Deadline: July 7 , 2025

Winners Selected: July 2025

Competition Guidelines: To stimulate thought about our planet’s future and to combat this waste, our judges are challenging you to create an original, innovative, and visually stunning design in one of three categories -apparel, accessories and footwear – made from real cattle leather. They also want to see how entrants approach the creation of garments that will last and be loved for a lifetime. 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.

NOW Design Competition

Details: The next generation of designers, dreamers, and eye care professionals are invited to reimagine the possibilities of eyewear from around the world, rethinking what eyewear can be. Under the theme “Visionaries of Tomorrow,” the contest seeks functional or conceptual designs that challenge norms and offer a futuristic take on personal expression, health, and fashion through eyewear.

Submission Deadline: August 20, 2025

Winners Selected: September 2025

Competition Guidelines: Designers can submit conceptual designs, including renderings, illustrations, 3D models, or eyewear-related accessories. Submissions require a short project description (350 words or less) and a completed entry form. The contest is open to students, designers, eye care professionals, and innovators with a passion for eyewear. The competition welcomes participants aged 18+, no prior professional experience required. Entry cannot be an already existing product currently on sale or launching. Finalists will see their designs showcased at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas. The Grand Prize Winner will receive industry recognition and these exclusive rewards: hotel and airfare to attend Vision Expo Orlando 2026, a coveted feature in AC Magazine and other prominent trade publications, a creative consultation with UN-TI-TLED Creative Agency, exclusive mentorship opportunities with top designers and brands.

Enter the NOW Design Competition

About Vision Expo: Vision Expo is the most comprehensive event for the entire Vision community, built for the industry by the industry. The only balance of conference and exhibition to learn from industry pioneers, explore cutting-edge advancements, and gain a new perspective on the future of eyewear.

Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2025

Details: The Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2025 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 , 2025

Winners Selected: October 2025

Competition Guidelines: Open to all undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate art and design disciplines for those that have graduated between September 2024 - August 2025 (Southern Hemisphere graduating after September 2024). 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 Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2025

2025 Pierre Cardin Young Designers Award

Details: Launched in 2022, the Pierre Cardin Young
Designers Award is an international contest created
for fashion students. The contest seeks the next
generation of emerging design talent from around the
world and offers an opportunity for students to hone
their craft within the design studio of Maison Pierre
Cardin under the direction of house president Rodrigo
Cardin.

Submission Deadline: October 31 , 2025

Winners Selected: November 2025

Competition Guidelines: This competition is aimed at final year students enrolled in fashion schools in USA aged 18 and over. The deadline for submitting an application is October 31, 2025. Beyond this deadline, no application will be considered. Students may submit a menswear, womenswear, or children’s wear sketch (3 drawings maximum). They should familiarize and inspire themselves with the futurist vision of Pierre Cardin as well as his use of geometric forms and propose nnovative textiles and production methods, while bringing their own unique design perspective to their sketches. The following elements will be considered when selecting finalists: creativity and originality, sketching skills, understanding of the Pierre Cardin brand identity, coherence with, and reinterpretation of the design codes of Maison Cardin, production techniques: textiles and materials, proposition of a sustainable approach to design and production, portfolio design that elaborates on the creative concept, students must also be prepared to define different sustainable and innovative production methods which seek to improve ecological and social conditions in the fashion industry and consider all aspects of presenting their work to the jury.

You can register and enter the PCYDA USA by sending an email to [email protected]

About Pierre Cardin: Pierre Cardin, the legendary fashion designer founded his own fashion house in 1950. Pierre Cardin is also considered one of the pioneers of futuristic fashion and is credited with inaugurating the new era of spatial design. Today, Pierre Cardin is run by Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, the creator's nephew, who ensure the cardin heritage in fashion industry and make it more responsible.