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

[Tokyo] Fashion Competitions 'NFDT' and 'SFDA' to Nurture Young Designers

To discover and nurture fashion designers who will take flight on the global stage, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government hosts two fashion competitions: the "Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo (NFDT)," aimed at students living or studying in Tokyo, and the "Sustainable Fashion Design Award (SFDA)," aimed at students and amateur designers, which focuses on utilizing materials such as kimono fabric.

On March 29 (Sun), a total of 35 "budding designers" (cumulative count) gathered at Toranomon Hills for a final judging session held in the form of a fashion show. Across four categories, the "Tokyo Governor's Award" (1 Grand Prize winner and 2 Excellence Award winners per category) was determined by a panel of judges including Paris Collection designers, while a "Special Selection Award" (1 winner per category) was determined by public vote.

The 16 total winning groups will receive up to 1 million yen in prize money from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as well as a development program that includes brand launch support and opportunities to present their work during Paris Fashion Week, helping them grow into globally active designers.

Judges included Mr. Morinaga of ANREALAGE and Ms. Tomoe Shinohara; Governor Koike also attended

The event featured a star-studded panel of 15 judges active at the forefront of the industry, including Mr. Katsuhiko Hibino (President of Tokyo University of the Arts), Paris Collection designer Mr. Kunihiko Morinaga (ANREALAGE), and artist Ms. Tomoe Shinohara (one judge was absent and judged in advance).

Governor Yuriko Koike was also in attendance. In her congratulatory speech, the Governor addressed the participating designers, saying, "I would like to congratulate all the winners, and for those who did not win this time, I hope you will challenge yourselves again." She added, "I believe Tokyo is a hub for fashion that reaches out to the world and an important place for cultivating talent. I sincerely hope that all of you will take flight on the global stage."

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

<Free Category> Tokyo Governor's Award - Grand Prize Yotaro Onishi / ESMOD Tokyo (Scenes Inside the Train) Tokyo Governor's Award - Excellence Award Koume Takahashi / Sugino Fashion College (Swipe up) Kotaro Yasuda / ESMOD Tokyo (Contours of Existence) Special Selection Award (Determined by public vote) Ikiki Takahashi / Bunka Gakuen University (Oversize Reinterpretation)

<Inclusive Design Category> (Designed for wear by people 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 (Determined by public vote) Yui Wakabayashi / Bunka Fashion College (Corset x Dress)

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

<Wear Category> Tokyo Governor's Award - Grand Prize Yuna Yanagi / Tokyo Designplex Institute (Shrink) Tokyo Governor's Award - Excellence Award Sena Sakano / General Entry (Nishiki: Woven Scarlet and Nirvana) Arina Nishizaki / Bunka Fashion College (REGENERATE) Special Selection Award (Determined by public vote) Rumi Hanoii / General Entry ("OMOTEURA": What Dwells in the Torn Surface)

<Fashion Goods Category> (Bags, accessories, shoes, etc.) Tokyo Governor's Award - Grand Prize Kanako Yagi / Tama Art University (Armor Backpack) Tokyo Governor's Award - Excellence Award Rimiko Shoji / General Entry (MARUDE Zori) Minami Nakata / Keio University (Samsara Sublimation) Special Selection Award (Determined by public vote) Rimiko Shoji / General Entry (MARUDE Zori)

Young designers selected from approximately 2,000 entries gathered; event footage available on YouTube

The two fashion competitions, "NFDT" and "SFDA," saw a high number of entries for this fourth iteration (a total of approximately 2,000 entries across both competitions and all four categories).

The final judging was held with a total of 35 young designers (cumulative count), consisting of 24 groups that passed the second round of judging (6 per category) and 11 groups selected by public vote (3 per category, with one withdrawal in the NFDT Free Category).

[YouTube URL] You can watch the event here: https://youtube.com/live/ICiFhEKA7Ac

Making Tokyo a 'Fashion Hub' on par with Paris, Milan, New York, and London About the "Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo" and "Sustainable Fashion Design Award"

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working to promote the fashion and apparel industry to establish Tokyo as a "fashion hub" on par with Paris, Milan, New York, and London.

As part of this effort, 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 take flight on the global stage.

Those who pass the first round of judging participate in workshops led by globally active designers and industry professionals. Those who pass the second round are provided with business experience opportunities, such as commercialization experiences with merchandisers and promotional experience opportunities.

The winners will receive up to 1 million yen in prize money, as well as a development program that includes brand launch support and assistance in presenting their work in Paris.

"Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo 2026" Official Website: https://nfdt.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/ "Sustainable Fashion Design Award 2026" Official Website: https://sfda.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/