Apply HERE​
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Before you submit your application, please read through all the key information listed below.​

September 23, 2026    Applications open​

November 2, 2026    Applications close​

November 16-30, 2026    Round One Judging​

Early December 2026    Applicants notified of outcome​

February 17, 2027    Round Two Judging Day​

March 2, 2027    National Designer Award Runway​

• Completed 2027 National Designer Award x David Jones online application form​

• Lookbook of the designer’s current collection​

• Lookbook of one past collection​
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Applications undergo an initial review before progressing to Round One Judging. You may be asked for additional information as part of that process.​

• The brand was established less than 8 years ago, with its first part* or full**collection launched after January 1, 2019​

• The brand’s collections have been available for purchase for at least 12 months​

• The brand’s primary place of business is based in Australia​

• The collection presented to the judging panel includes at least 10 full looks, with a minimum of 70 per cent apparel​

• The collection presented will be available for purchase from March 1, 2027​

• The applicant is the founder or co-founder and lead designer of the brand, and will personally complete the application and judging process​

• The application is complete and meets all Round One submission requirements​

* A part collection is a cohesive body of work comprising a minimum of five complete looks, conceptualised, produced and launched to market concurrently under a single creative vision. ​

** A full collection is a cohesive body of work comprising approximately 10-12 complete looks, conceptualised, produced and launched to market concurrently under a single creative vision.​

Each weighting number denotes the maximum number of points attainable within the respective category. ​

• Design Excellence - Assesses the design quality and execution of the collection, relative to the designers intended practice and market (35)

• Creative Vision and Brand Identity - Assesses the originality, clarity and consistency of the designer’s creative point of view and brand identity (25)

• Sustainable and Responsible Practice - Assesses how thoughtfully and credibly the designer embeds sustainable and ethical practices within their business model and approach (15) – assessed only by the Sustainability Expert

• Business Model & Audience Understanding - Assesses the designer’s business model and understanding of their customer and market (15)

• Potential to Contribute to Australian Fashion - Assesses the designer’s potential to broaden and strengthen the Australian fashion landscape (10) 

Sustainable and Responsible Practice is assessed as part of every designer's overall score, in the context of their brand’s nature, scale and stage.

• Relevance - How well you understand the sustainability impacts of your brand and practice.

• Evidence & Transparency - How clearly and openly you communicate your practices, both in your application and with your audience, supported by relevant examples or evidence.

• Integration - How meaningfully Sustainable & Responsible Practice is embedded across your business and operations.

• Progress & Accountability - How you identify areas for improvement and demonstrate a credible approach to addressing them.

All Finalists:  ​

• A place on the National Designer Award x David Jones runway, part of the Festival's 2027 Premium Runway Series​

• PR and marketing support across Festival channels and media​

• The opportunity to present to the National Designer Award x David Jones judging panel​

• A professional content package - photography and videography of the collection on the runway and backstage​

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National Designer Award Winner ​

• $30,000 + GST cash prize​

• 2027 National Designer Award trophy​

• $1,000 David Jones gift card​

• A David Jones business development package valued at $150,000 ex GST - provided through in-kind services, opportunities and specialist David Jones support, including: 

  • Business Development Mentorship - 5 sessions with relevant David Jones specialist teams. Areas of support may include marketing, customer insights, sustainability, visual merchandising and other expertise relevant to the winner’s business. 

  • Buying & Merchandising Mentorship - 5 sessions with relevant David Jones buying and merchandising representatives, tailored to the winner’s business and retail objectives. 

  • Visual Merchandising Support - a flagship David Jones window and/or visual merchandising installation featuring the winner and/or their collection, supported by relevant marketing activity across David Jones channels.

  • David Jones Ranging Opportunity (if applicable to business model and brand capabilities) - a wholesale buy of the winner’s collection, supported by relevant marketing activity across David Jones channels (minimum buy in $50,000 + GST). 

    Where wholesale ranging is not suitable for the winner’s business model, the equivalent value will instead be provided through additional marketing and profile-building support, determined in collaboration with the David Jones team.

  • Dedicated Winner Profile on David Jones Digital Channels – a winner brand profile on the David Jones website linking to the winner’s e-commerce platform.

• Festival Winner Amplification Package 

  • Inclusion in the National Designer Award x David Jones winner announcement press release. 

  • A dedicated brand profile post across Festival channels, linking to the winner’s e-commerce platform. 

  • Inclusion in the National Designer Award winner announcement eDM distributed to the Festival database. 

  • Guaranteed inclusion in the PayPal Australian Fashion Festival 2028 official program. 

  • Ongoing recognition as a National Designer Award alumnus, including an invitation to the 2028 Festival Launch Event and two VIP guest invitations to the 2028 National Designer Award runway

People's Choice Award​

• People's Choice Award trophy​

• PR and social promotion, including inclusion in the winner announcement​

• $1,000 David Jones gift card​

View the terms and conditions here.