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Sustainable Fashion Design Award

To make Tokyo a fashion hub on par with Paris, Milan, New York, and London,
the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is taking steps to promote the fashion and apparel industry.
Japan has wonderful cultural content, such as kimonos,
and we believe that promoting these traditions to the world in a new form through
the power of modern fashion is an important initiative that will not only promote the industry
but will also contribute to the SDGs and sustainability.
This project will help to boost the fashion and apparel industry
by promoting a wide range of fashion from Tokyo that everyone can enjoy.


NEWS


Competitions overview

Application period

Friday, 21 June 2024 → Friday, 20 September 2024

Amateur designers residing, working, or studying in Tokyo.
(Groups are also accepted)

  • There are no age, sex, or nationality restrictions.
  • Anyone can apply if they are amateurs and meet the applicant criteria.
  • For group applications, all members of the group must consent to apply.
  • Professional kimono, apparel and accessory designers are not eligible.
  • You will be asked to produce your work during the judging process, so you must be able to cope with this.

Categories

  • 01

    Wear Category

    Garments designed to make use of
    kimono fabrics, etc.

  • 02

    Fashion Items Category

    Bags, accessories, stoles/scarves, shoes, etc.,
    designed to make use of kimono fabrics, etc.

The Tokyo Governor’s Award

Grand
Prize

One winner
(or group)
per category

Prize
money

1,000,000JPY

Excellence Award

Two winners
(or groups)
per category

Prize
money

500,000JPY

Special Selection Award

One winner
(or group)
per category

Prize
money

500,000JPY

* The winners of the Special Selection Award will be determined by a public vote on SNS
and other platforms among the works that pass the first-round screening.

○ The award-winning works will be displayed at various commercial facilities in Tokyo.
○ Award winners will receive support for starting a business or launching a brand, as well as assistance in participating in exhibitions in Paris.
○ Applicants will be able to join workshops and other activities to help them succeed as designers on the global stage in the coming years.


Outline



○ One applicant can submit multiple design sketches.
(Designs in the Wear Category can also be submitted for the Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo 2025)

Qualification requirements

Living in Tokyo or commuting to work or school amateur designer
(Group application is also possible)

  • Age, gender and nationality do not matter.
  • Any amateur who meets the requirements can apply.
  • In the case of group application, please apply after obtaining the consent of all members in the group.
  • Professionals who specialize in kimono, clothing, and accessory design are not eligible.
  • Since we will ask you to create a work during the judging process, it is a condition that you can respond to this.

Please check the application requirements from here

Application documents

  • Application form
  • Pledge
  • Documents confirming eligibility * Certificate of enrolment, student ID, residence certificate
  • Form 1: Entry introduction sheet
  • Form 2: Entry design sketch sheet: front
  • Form 3: Entry design sketch sheet: back
  • Form 4: Fabric sample attachment sheet (Optional)

* Applicants who have submitted the application form online do not need to submit the following 2 items:
・Application form
・Pledge


Application method

○ One applicant can submit multiple design sketches.
(Designs in the Wear Category can also be submitted for the Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo 2025)

How to Apply Online

  • 1Register basic
    information via
    the Application Form

    • Application form
    • Pledge
  • 2Download a set of
    submission forms

  • 3Send submission
    documents by email

    Email content

    • Documents confirming eligibility * Certificate of enrolment, student ID, residence certificate
    • Form 1: Entry introduction sheet
    • Form 2: Entry design sketch sheet: front
    • Form 3: Entry design sketch sheet: back
    • Form 4: Fabric sample attachment sheet (Optional) * If you are submitting the fabric sample attachment sheet, please apply by postal mail.

    If you didn't complete the application form online, you must also submit the following:

    • Application Form
    • Pledge
  • 4Application completed

How to Apply via Postal Mail

  • 1Download all
    required application
    forms

  • 2Send Documents
    by Postal Mail

    Documents to Include

    • Application Form
    • Pledge
    • Documents confirming eligibility * Certificate of enrolment, student ID, residence certificate
    • Form 1: Entry introduction sheet
    • Form 2: Entry design sketch sheet: front
    • Form 3: Entry design sketch sheet: back
    • Form 4: Fabric sample attachment sheet (Optional)

    Sending Address

  • 3Application completed

※The Secretariat will contact those who pass the examination.


Judges

  • Norbert Leuret

    Head Judge

    President of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Japan KK

    Norbert Leuret

    Born in France, he started his career in Japan in 1983 at the Consulate of the French Embassy in Osaka. Subsequently, in 1997, he became the Representative Director of Kenzo Japan Co Ltd. He later served as Representative Director of Hachette Fujingaho Co Ltd and as Representative Director and CEO of Zara Japan Co Ltd. He has been in his current position since 2016.

  • Tomoe Shinohara

    Vice head Judge

    Designer / Artist

    Tomoe Shinohara

    A graduate of the Fashion Design Department at Bunka Gakuen Junior College, she has had a diverse career as a singer, narrator, and actress, appearing in movies, dramas, and commercials. In 2020, she founded the creative studio "STUDEO" with art director Tatsuki Ikezawa. In 2022, she received the New York ADC Awards (Silver and Bronze) and the Tokyo ADC Award for her "Deerskin kimono."

  • Eriko Ishida

    Judge

    MALION vintage Designer

    Eriko Ishida

    She was born in Chiba Prefecture. Having graduated from the Fashion Design Department of Sugino Gakuen Dressmaker Academy, she has accumulated 8 years of experience as a corporate designer and buyer until she established an Upcycling clothing brand, “MALION vintage,” in 2016. In 2019, she launched her own brand “ERiKOKATORi,” named after her grandfather’s lumber shop.

  • Lifestylist / Creative Director

    Judge

    Lifestylist / Creative Director

    Yukari Ota

    She began her career as a fashion stylist. Currently, she works as a "Lifestylist," styling fashion, food, and living spaces. Through her creative activities and consulting services for companies and brands, she proposes sustainable and well-being-oriented lifestyles.

  • Fumiaki Koizumi

    Guest Judge

    Mercari, Inc. President
    Kashima Antlers FC Co., Ltd. Director, CEO
    Public interest incorporated association “Japan Professional Football League” (J League) Adjunct Director

    Fumiaki Koizumi

    After graduating from Waseda University Faculty of Commerce, he joined Daiwa Securities SMBC, managing IPOs for internet companies such as mixi and DeNA. In December 2013, he joined Mercari, Inc., eventually becoming a Director in March 2014 and Managing Director and COO in 2017. In August 2019, he took on the role of President and Representative Director of Kashima Antlers FC Co., Ltd., and in March 2022, was appointed Director of the Japan Professional Football League (J League).

  • Chiemi Kominato

    Judge

    FASHIONSNAP Fashion Director

    Chiemi Kominato

    After graduating from Bunka Fashion College, she worked at a design company before joining RECO ORLANDO, where she was appointed as the Fashion Director of FASHIONSNAP in 2018. She is in charge of the luxury sector and international fashion weeks, mainly in Paris and Milan.

  • Hideaki Shikama

    Judge

    Children of the discordance Designer

    Hideaki Shikama

    He was born in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. From 2005, he worked for SHIPS Ltd. at the concept store Acycle until 2010. In 2011, he started the “Children of the discordance” brand. He specializes in products using vintage fabrics with original graphic design and textile design. In 2019, he was selected as one of the “10 Asian Designers to Watch.” His Spring/Summer 2021 men’s collection was presented at Milan Fashion Week.

  • Shoko Nakanishi

    Judge

    Buyer at the Women's Shoes, Jewelry, Watches & Accessories Division, Group 2 MD at Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd.

    Shoko Nakanishi

    After joining the company in 2016, she worked for the independently curated select shop "ReStyle" in sales and as an assistant buyer for luxury brands. She then served as the buyer for "ReStyle Plus," and assumed her current position in 2023. While handling luxury brands and independent curation, she leverages her experience in women's fashion to create and promote styles that resonate with customer interests.

*Japanese alphabetical order.

Guest advisor

  • Reiko Sudo

    Photo by Masayuki Hayashi

    Textile designer

    Reiko Sudo

    Ms Sudo was born in Ishioka, Ibaraki Prefecture. She is the design director of the NUNO Corporation and professor emeritus at Tokyo Zokei University. Since 2008, she has been advising on textile design for Ryohin Keikaku, Yamagata Prefecture Tsuruoka Textile Industry Co-operative and others, and since 2016 has been on the advisory board of Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum and others.

Key points for judging

The prerequisite is that the design makes use of kimono fabrics, etc.
(Kimono fabrics are materials made for kimono.)

Items judged to be outstanding in terms of design, functionality, novelty, and marketability,
including the use of kimono fabrics, etc.

The judging is also based on a combination of factors,
including a willingness to take on challenges,
such as the continuation of traditions and innovation.

* The winners of the Special Selection Award will be determined by a public vote on SNS and other platforms among the works that pass the first-round screening.

Selection process

  • 1

    Entry

    Application period: Friday, 21 June 2024 - Friday, 20 September 2024
    * Valid if postmarked by the deadline

  • 2

    Preliminary judging

    Design drawings are judged.
    Approx. 15 people are selected in each category

  • 3

    Production support, workshop

    We will provide the following support to those who have passed the temporary screening.
    (i) Reduction of material costs (up to 50,000 yen)
    (ii) Advice from Production Advisors
    (iii) Workshops by Special Advisors
    (Points for utilizing materials and establishing a brand)
    (iv) Exchange with young overseas designers

  • 4

    Secondary examination

    ・Presentations and question and answer sessions on looks created using production assistance and workshops.(Approx. 6 people are selected in each category)
    ・Design drawings are published to official social media channels, and winners chosen according to ‘Likes’. (approx. three winners in each category)

  • 5

    Business experience

    We will provide the following support to those who pass the second screening toward the final screening.
    (i) Reduction of material costs (up to 100,000 yen)
    (ii) Merchandising experience and promotion experience in collaboration with MD (merchandisers), etc.

  • 6

    Final judging

    ・The judges will award the Tokyo Governor's Grand Prize to one winner in each category and the Tokyo Governor's Award of Excellence to two winners in each category.
    ・As well as this, a Special Selection Award will go to one winner in each category based on real-time audience voting.

Please see here for details of the advance flow (after the first screening)

About the Participant Community
(Alumni)

Award winners and interested applicants are invited to join this community, which extends beyond the contest year.
Through exchange with various designers, attending workshops, and participating in hands-on projects,
the community offers support to cultivate designers aspiring to work on a global stage.

About Alumni

This exclusive community for contest participants allows young designers studying in Tokyo to connect, inspire each other, and grow together. It serves as a starting point for designers aspiring to achieve international success.

Eligibility

Award winners of the Sustainable Fashion Design Award or the Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo and all interested contest participants.

If you wish to join, please get in touch with us via the link below:

Fiscal Year 2023 Event Highlights

Announcing the contestants who passed the 2nd screening