2026 Young Designer Competition Design Brief
Overview
The AllFashion sourcing Young Designer Competition (YDC) celebrates its 9th anniversary in 2026. YDC is a distinguished platform for emerging talent within the design industry. The competition invites designers annually who are graduating in the year of the competition, recent graduates (within the past five years), or are currently engaged in a design internship program.
As the world moves into 2026, it does so under visible strain. Political instability, economic uncertainty, climate pressure and growing social divides continue to influence how people live, work and consume. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, rising costs of living and environmental anxiety have created a global mood that feels cautious, fragmented and, at times, fatigued.
Fashion exists within a powerful contradiction.
At one end of the spectrum, luxury fashion continues to expand — aspirational, image-driven and increasingly global in influence. At the other, fast fashion accelerates, fuelling immediacy and overconsumption while intensifying urgent debates around ethics, sustainability and labour. Between these extremes lies a critical tension: consumerism versus job creation, profit versus responsibility, and excess versus intention.
It is within this space that the next generation of designers must operate.
The Challenge
This brief invites young designers to respond to a world in flux and to consider the role fashion can play within it. Beyond reacting to trends, can fashion become a tool for social, economic and cultural impact — without losing its sense of joy, creativity and play?
Under the theme Circular by Design: Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle., designers are challenged to embed circular thinking into their creative process, transforming existing materials into meaningful, future-focused fashion. The aim is not only to reduce waste, but to rethink value, production and purpose in a changing global landscape.
Colour Direction 2026
Designs should draw inspiration from the following colour direction:
- Cloud Dancer – A soft, understated neutral that represents calm, clarity and space to breathe in an overstimulated world.
- Teal – A colour of depth and duality, symbolising healing, renewal and resilience.
These colours may be used as dominant tones or subtle accents, supporting the overall narrative of balance, reflection and regeneration.
Final Reflection
Fashion alone cannot fix the world — but it can reflect it, question it and imagine alternatives. Through intentional design, responsible material choices and creative expression, fashion has the power to move beyond excess and contribute to a more thoughtful, inclusive and sustainable future.
Submission Requirements
- Vision Board: Showcase your concept with inspiration and design direction rooted in South African themes.
- Detailed Sketches: Illustrate each garment clearly, reflecting functionality and aesthetics.
- Material Choices: Include sustainable material descriptions, emphasising local or innovative sources.
- Design Rationale: A 300–500-word statement on how your collection captures the theme and promotes creativity and sustainability.
Let South Africa’s spirit of innovation, creativity, and resilience shine through your designs. Together, let’s craft a sustainable future for fashion with a uniquely South African voice.
PHASE ONE
IMPORTANT DATES
Entries Open: 5 February 2026
Entries Close: 23 April 2026
Submission Requirements
- Vision Board: Showcase your concept with inspiration and design direction rooted in South African themes.
- Detailed Sketches: Illustrate each garment clearly, reflecting functionality and aesthetics.
- Material Choices: Include sustainable material descriptions, emphasising local or innovative sources.
- Design Rationale: A 300–500-word statement on how your collection captures the theme and promotes creativity and sustainability.
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Creative Excellence: Uniqueness and artistic impact.
- Sustainability: Effective integration of eco-friendly principles and materials.
- Cultural Expression: Strong connections to South African heritage and contemporary design narratives.
- Technical Skill: Precision in construction and attention to detail.
PHASE TWO
The semi-final selection takes place between 23 April to the 08 May 2026.
You will be notified by the Young Designers Competition Organisers if you are qualified to move on to the next phase on the 12 May 2026.
PHASE THREE
FINAL GARMENT
Deadline: 02 July 2026 – Delivered to the Messe Frankfurt Offices – Office 2 , Harfield Village Centre, 48 Second Avenue, Harfield Village, Claremont, Cape Town.
- Entry element three will allow for you to translate your thoughts, imagination, and concept into a final garment.
- Don’t forget to reference your mood board as well as and your initial drawings/illustrations to ensure we see your vision from sketch to final garment.
- Have all design details been maintained as per sketch in terms of trims etc. Judging criteria: How close to the sketch is the final garment? Have all design detail and trims been as close to original sketch and communication (written and illustrated?).
Final Showcase
Date: 15 July 2026
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre 2
FINAL DESIGN WITH STYLING
- You are required to create the runway look by providing your final design.
- Please include notes on hair and makeup, shoes, accessories, and overall look and feel to walk the runway.
- The finals will be hosted live at the Allfashion sourcing event taking place at the CTICC on 15 July 2026.
- The finals will be filmed and reshared on Allfashion sourcing social media platform as well as media platforms.
- The Young Designer Finals will consist of ten finalists who will showcase their designs on the runway at the AllFashion Sourcing Event.
Let South Africa’s spirit of innovation, creativity, and resilience shine through your designs. Together, let’s craft a sustainable future for fashion with a uniquely South African voice.
Terms & Conditions
The competition is open to designers graduating this year, recently graduated (in the past 5 years), or currently in a design internship program. It features prizes valued at more than R270 000,00. A R15 000,00 cash prize for the winner and a Legal Business Toolkit/business start-up kit designed by legal practitioners from ENS valued at R250 000,00; and R5 000,00 for the runner-up. The ENS Legal Business toolkit, which must be used in 12 months, includes the following:
1. Start Up Amplifier Guide which includes a “how to” legal guide for a small business looking to get started. The Guide introduces pertinent legal aspects for a small business to consider for the establishment and operation of the company. The “how to” guide includes a summary of various areas of legal regulation, among others, tax, foreign exchange, capital markets and financial regulation, corporate governance, labour and employment law, consumer protection, national credit, protection of information, information technology, intellectual property, project finance and Environmental Social Governance (ESG);
2. up to 10 hours of legal service, including consultation with specific attorneys, to tailor the selected agreements to the winner’s needs
3. A choice of 3 basic contracts linked to the “Start Up Amplifier” Guide, being:
reciprocal confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement
standard employment agreement
intellectual property assignment agreement
website terms of use
e-commerce compliance checklist
website privacy policy
POPIA simplified guide
Sustainability/Environment Social Governance (ESG) Statement
Purpose-driven memorandum of incorporation
PARTICIPATION AND PRIZE ACCEPTANCE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") manage the relationship among all participants of the Young Designers Competition, Messe Frankfurt SA (Pty) Ltd ("Organizer").
I. PARTICIPANT COMMITMENTS:
1. Participant Consent: By participating, entrants agree to allow the Organizer’s usage of their designs and additional submission materials for promotional and related purposes.
2. Participant Liability: All participants accept all risk and responsibility linked with their participation in this competition and the usage of their submitted designs.
3. Design Alteration: Once the design is submitted, no alterations or changes are allowed.
4. Professionalism: Expected from all participants throughout the competition process. Failure to maintain professionalism may result in disqualification.
5. Regulation Compliance: Compliance with all rules and regulations for the competition is mandatory. Non-compliance may lead to disqualification.
6. Personal Expenses: All participants must bear any expenses related to the competition, including the costs of creation, development, submission of their designs, and travel and accommodation unless specified otherwise.
II. PRIZE ACCEPTANCE TERMS:
1. Prize Grant: The competition winner ("Recipient") is eligible for a monetary reward of R15,000 and will also win the Legal Business Toolkit/business start-up kit designed by legal practitioners from ENS; the competition runner up will win R5000 cash.
III. LIABILITY LIMITATION:
1. Liability Limitation: The Organizer is not liable for any costs related to the creation or delivery of the Recipient's showcase. The fashion shows are shared, meaning the Recipient will present alongside other designers.
IV. GENERAL TERMS:
1. Decisions: The judges' decision is final and binding. No discussions regarding this decision will be entertained after the winners' announcement.
2. Loss or Damage: The Organizer will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to entry garments during the competition, though due care will be exercised.
3. Prizes: The competition prizes are fixed and cannot be negotiated.
4. Rights: The competition organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant found violating the rules or engaged in any misconduct.
5. Terms & Conditions Changes: The organizers hold the right to alter these Terms and Conditions at any given time without any prior notification.
6. Travel and Accommodation: Participants must manage and finance their travel and accommodation for the Cape Town event unless otherwise stated.
V. LIABILITY LIMITATION AND INDEMNITY:
1. Liability Limitation: The Organizer and any of their associated companies, directors, officers, professional advisors, employees, and agencies will not be held responsible for: (a) any late, lost, misrouted, garbled or distorted or damaged transmissions or entries; (b) any event disruptions, losses or damages caused by events beyond the control of the Promoter; or (c) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the competition.
2. Indemnity: By participating in the competition, each participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organizer against any and all claims, losses, damages, or liabilities, including attorneys' fees, stemming from or relating to their participation in the competition or acceptance or usage of the Prize.
By entering this competition, participants confirm they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.