ENTRIES CLOSE: 20 Oct 2026 | FINALISTS NOTIFIED: 27 Oct 2026 | WINNERS ATTEND FASHION SVP: 10 & 11 Nov 2026
Launched at FASHION SVP last year, the Designer of the Year Award has quickly become a standout platform for discovering the next generation of fashion talent.
Now returning for its 19th edition, the award celebrates exceptional emerging designers from leading UK and European fashion colleges and universities, spotlighting bold creativity, strong design thinking, and ideas rooted in real-world relevance.
Proven impact. Real industry exposure.
The award debuted at the 18th edition of FASHION SVP to outstanding success. Competition was exceptionally high, with 10 finalists selected to present their collections live on the FASHION SVP show floor in front of a packed industry audience.
Finalists were judged by a panel of respected industry experts, including Niamh Maher (Vivienne Westwood) and Mary Fellowes (Sustainability Consultant and former Vogue Editor), who praised the standard of work as:
“Captivating across the board."
Judges highlighted the strength of students’ design processes, from concept and research through to final execution, and emphasised the importance of balancing creativity with commercial awareness.
WHY ENTER ?
If you’re selected, you’ll get to:
• Showcase your collection live at FASHION SVP 2026
• Get noticed by buyers, brands, and industry leaders
• Receive expert feedback from senior fashion professionals
• Build confidence, credibility, and visibility at a defining moment in your career
What to submit?
Applicants are invited to submit a clear, creative, and well-presented PDF that showcases both concept and execution.
Submission Guidelines
Your application must include:
- PDF format (maximum 5MB per file)
- 2 pages only, featuring:
- Concept boards & inspiration
- Design development & ideas
- Final piece imagery
Physical or digital submissions are accepted
Finalist Requirements
If selected, finalists must be willing to:
- Provide 1–2 physical pieces for display on a dedicated stand,
- Supply digital assets for on-screen display (for digital-only submissions)
Eligibility!
Open to final-year undergraduate and MA students enrolled in fashion-related courses, including digital design, at UK colleges or universities. Proof of enrolment may be requested.
Apply Below
If you are a fashion student ready to challenge yourself, showcase your work and step onto a major industry stage; this is your moment to shine.
Key Dates
Entries close: 20 Oct 2026
Finalists notified: 27 Oct 2026
Winners attend FASHION SVP: 10 & 11 Nov 2026
Winner Attendance
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – MINGYU LI
Yiet Kuan Lau, Designer of the Year – Edition 19
Meet the Winner
A fashion design graduate from Kingston University, Mingyu won over the judges with “The Eighth Continent”, a powerful concept inspired by the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and its devastating impact on marine ecosystems.
She entered the competition to push her creative boundaries, experience the fashion industry in a professional setting, and gain real-world insight into turning bold ideas into commercially viable fashion.
Yiet Kuan Lau
Designer of the Year – Edition 19
The Winner Says
“Ugly Pretty, is an exploration of scrappy art elevated through restraint. Both of my parents grew up poor so they had to be very resourceful. That skill and mindset has been passed down to me and is now pronounced proudly in the way I make clothes.
At its core, the collection reimagines what is often overlooked. Textile prints are developed from envelope linings (objects designed to be hidden), now brought forward and refined into intentional surfaces. I’ve also experimented with heat pressing my own prints on top of deadstock fabrics with pre-existing prints to reinforce my design DNA of reworked fashion.
Silhouette plays a central role. The shapes are informed by my Malaysian roots and by the visual language of labourers; individuals who dress for function, climate, and endurance.
Layers of lightweight fabrics create garments that breathe while offering shade from the sun and maintaining ease and comfort.
The result is a collection designed for the modern working woman, someone who values quiet confidence, intelligence in design, and longevity in her wardrobe. The pieces are chic while balancing softness and structure.”
“Fashion SVP was an inspiring, well-organised platform that connected creativity with the realities of the fashion industry. ”
