Fashion Show by "Budding Designers" Held (March 29)

[Tokyo Metropolitan Government] Fashion Competitions "NFDT" and "SFDA" to Foster Young Designers

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in order to discover and nurture fashion designers who will make their mark on the world, sponsors two fashion competitions:

"Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo" (NFDT), aimed at students residing or studying in Tokyo, and

"Sustainable Fashion Design Award" (SFDA), aimed at students and amateur designers, utilizing kimono fabrics and other materials.

Recently, a total of 35 "budding designers" gathered for a fashion show-style final judging event held on Sunday, March 29th, at Toranomon Hills.

In all four categories, the "Tokyo Governor's Award" (1 Grand Prize, 2 Excellence Awards) was decided by judges including Paris Collection designers, and the "Special Selection Award" (1 winner) was decided by public vote.

Runway scene / Grand prize winner for NFDT's "Inclusive Design" category

A total of 16 winning teams (cumulative) will receive prize money up to 1 million yen from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, support for brand launch, and opportunities to present their work during Paris Fashion Week, as part of a program to nurture them as globally active designers.

Judged by ANREALAGE's Mr. Morinaga and Ms. Tomoe Shinohara, Governor Koike Also Attended

On the day, a total of 15 distinguished judges, including Mr. Katsuhiko Hibino (President of Tokyo University of the Arts), Paris Collection designer Mr. Kunihiko Morinaga (ANREALAGE), and artist Ms. Tomoe Shinohara, all active at the forefront of the industry, participated (one judge reviewed submissions in advance due to absence on the day).

Governor Yuriko Koike also attended.

In her congratulatory address, the Governor stated to the participating designers, "I congratulate all the award winners, and on the other hand, I encourage those who did not win to try again." She also added, "Tokyo is a vital place for nurturing talent, a hub for broadcasting fashion to the world. I sincerely wish for all of you to spread your wings globally."

Grand prize winner for SFDA's "Wearable" category, utilizing kimono fabrics etc.

Award ceremony, Governor Yuriko Koike and award winners

"NFDT 2026" Final Judging Award Winners (Name / Affiliation / Work Title)

Tokyo Governor's Award Grand Prize

Yotaro Onishi / ESMOD Japon (Scenes Inside the Train)

Tokyo Governor's Award Excellence Award

Koume Takahashi / Sugino Fashion School (Swipe up)

Kotaro Yasuda / ESMOD Japon (The Outline of Existence)

Special Selection Award *Judged by Public Vote*

Seiki Takahashi / Bunka Gakuen University (Reinterpretation of Oversized)

(Designed for wear by individuals with disabilities)

Tokyo Governor's Award Grand Prize

Nanami Macfarlane / Bunka Fashion College (Unbalanced beauty)

Tokyo Governor's Award Excellence Award

Fuyo Inoue / Tokyo Mode Gakuen (INVERSA)

Yui Wakabayashi / Bunka Fashion College (Corset x Dress)

Special Selection Award *Judged by Public Vote*

Yui Wakabayashi / Bunka Fashion College (Corset x Dress)

"SFDA 2026" Final Judging Award Winners (Name / Affiliation / Work Title)

Wearable Category>

Tokyo Governor's Award Grand Prize

Yuna Kata-yanagi / Tokyo Design Plex Institute (Shrink)

Tokyo Governor's Award Excellence Award

Sena Banno / General Applicant (Nishiki: Woven Scarlet and Nirvana)

Yuna Nishizaki / Bunka Fashion College (REGENERATE)

Special Selection Award *Judged by Public Vote*

Rumi Hananoi / General Applicant (Omoteura: What Resides in the Torn Surface)

(Bags, accessories, shoes, etc.)

Tokyo Governor's Award Grand Prize

Kanako Yagi / Tama Art University (Armor Backpack)

Tokyo Governor's Award Excellence Award

Mimiko Tokoshouji / General Applicant (MARUDE Zori)

Minami Nakata / Keio University (Samsara Sublimation)

Special Selection Award *Judged by Public Vote*

Mimiko Tokoshouji / General Applicant (MARUDE Zori)

Grand prize winner for NFDT's "Free" category

Grand prize winner for SFDA's "Fashion Goods" category

Young Designers Selected from Approximately 2,000 Applications Gathered; Event Footage Available on YouTube

The two fashion competitions, "NFDT" and "SFDA," received a large number of applications for their fourth iteration (Total approximately 2,000 applications across all four categories).

The final judging event brought together a total of 35 teams (cumulative) of young designers: 24 teams who passed the second screening (6 teams per category) and 11 teams selected by public vote (3 teams per category, with one withdrawal from the "NFDT Free Category").

[YouTube URL] *You can view footage from the event here.*

Tokyo as a "Fashion Hub" Alongside Paris, Milan, New York, and London

About "Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo" and "Sustainable Fashion Design Award"

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working to promote the fashion and apparel industry with the goal of establishing Tokyo as a "fashion hub" comparable to Paris, Milan, New York, and London.

As part of this initiative, the two fashion competitions, "Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo (NFDT)" and "Sustainable Fashion Design Award (SFDA)," were established in 2022 to discover and nurture fashion designers who will make their mark on the world.

Scene from the show in Paris by the 23rd fiscal year award winners (January of this year)

For those who pass the first screening, workshops are conducted by globally active designers and industry professionals.

Furthermore, for those who pass the second screening, opportunities for business experience for the future are provided, including product development experience with merchandisers and promotion experience.

The winners decided this time will be offered a nurturing program that includes prize money up to 1 million yen, support for brand launch, and assistance with presenting their work in Paris.

Official Website of "Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo 2026"

Official Website of "Sustainable Fashion Design Award 2026"