Australia’s most
prestigious fashion award

Presented by

Entering its 28th year, The National Designer Award presented by David Jones celebrates the creativity and excellence of Australian fashion designers in their first five years of business. Past winners include some of the biggest names in Australian fashion such as Christopher Esber, Dion Lee, Romance Was Born, Alémais, P.E. Nation, Toni Maticevski and Strateas Carlucci.  

As Australia’s most established and prestigious fashion award program, the National Designer Award highlights the future of Australian fashion, providing finalists with opportunities for mentorship, networking and critical industry exposure. 

Finalists and one winner are chosen by a panel of esteemed industry judges and the winner is the designer who best demonstrates vision and cohesion in creativity and design; adherence to high quality manufacturing standards; high attention to detail; strong business acumen; and a genuine commitment to addressing environmental and social impact.  

The prize consists a of $20,000 cash and high value business development support that provides the winner with the resources needed to assist in growing their brand and business. In recognition of the industry's pressing need for positive change, one deserving finalist will also be awarded with the Honourable Mention for Sustainability in acknowledgement of their dedication to sustainability, clear in both their product and overall business ethos.   

In addition, a People’s Choice Award allows fashion enthusiasts and consumers to get involved by submitting an online vote for their favourite finalist.  

Winner History

1997 - S!X

1998 - Ugur lle Alijan

1999 - Glen Rollason

2000 - (I) Peck Your Pun

2001 - Sample

2002 - Toni Maticevski

2003 - Claude Maus

2004 - Mad Cortes

2005 - Josh Goot

2006 - TV

2007 - Yeojin Bae

2008 - Friedrich Gray

2009 - Romance Was Born

2010 - Dion Lee

2011 - Song For The Mute

2012 - Christopher Esber

2013 - From Britten

2014 - Strateas Carlucci

2015 - Pageant

2016 - Macgraw

2017 - Kacey/Devlin

2018 - P.E. Nation

2019 - Christian Kimber

2020 - Esse

2021 - Commas

2022 - Alémais

2023 - Best Jumpers

1997 - S!X 1998 - Ugur lle Alijan 1999 - Glen Rollason 2000 - (I) Peck Your Pun 2001 - Sample 2002 - Toni Maticevski 2003 - Claude Maus 2004 - Mad Cortes 2005 - Josh Goot 2006 - TV 2007 - Yeojin Bae 2008 - Friedrich Gray 2009 - Romance Was Born 2010 - Dion Lee 2011 - Song For The Mute 2012 - Christopher Esber 2013 - From Britten 2014 - Strateas Carlucci 2015 - Pageant 2016 - Macgraw 2017 - Kacey/Devlin 2018 - P.E. Nation 2019 - Christian Kimber 2020 - Esse 2021 - Commas 2022 - Alémais 2023 - Best Jumpers

Essential Information

    • The label has been established for five years or less (having launched its first part or full range collection after 1st January 2019).

    • The label has been available for purchase for at least 12 months.

    • Collections are available for commercial sale in Australia.

    • The business is financially sustainable.

    • The label demonstrates the potential to make a positive contribution to the future growth of the Australian fashion industry.

    • The application is complete and meets all Submission Requirements.

    • The label’s main place of business is based in Australia.

    • Photographed imagery of the collection available at retail by March 2024 (minimum six looks). Sketches or other supporting creative materials may also be provided.

    • Photographed imagery of previous collections (minimum one previous collection). Sketches or other supporting creative materials may also be provided.

    • A business plan outlining goals, objectives, strategies, and a background on the business.

    • A 200 - 400 word design statement detailing the creative rationale of the current collection.

    • Current profile, biography and headshot of the designer(s).

    View application preview here.

    • Visionary, creative and fresh design aesthetic.

    • Demonstration of a cohesive design language within the collection.

    • Demonstration of high-quality manufacturing and attention to detail.

    • A commitment to addressing environmental and social impact with consideration of working conditions, carbon footprint and material and waste systems

    • Demonstration of strong business acumen.

  • 6 October 2023 – Entries Open

    20 November 2023 (5 pm) – Entries Close

    23 November – 7 December – Judging Round One

    11 December - Applicants Notified of Outcome

    January – Announce National Designer

    Award finalists

    22 February 2024 – National Designer Award Judging Round Two

    6 March 2024 – National Designer Award Announcement Event (TBC)

  • The winner announcement event is an invite-only live runway presentation of finalists’ collections held during the festival in March. Finalists will are required to attend this event in person.

  • Find terms and conditions here