APPLICATIONS OPEN

The National Graduate Showcase is consistently a highlight of the PayPal Australian Fashion Festival program - a national platform for Australia's most promising fashion graduates, and one of two initiatives in the Festival's Talent Development Program.

Open to students in their final year of a bachelor's or postgraduate fashion design degree, the Showcase brings together standout graduate talent from across the country. Following a nationwide selection process, finalists are chosen by a panel of leading industry judges to present their collections as part of the Festival's Premium Runway Series.​

Staged as part of the Festival's core program, the Showcase puts graduate designers in front of industry leaders, media, buyers and the public. Work that's spent years in a studio is presented to the people who can take it further.​

Proudly supported by Fashion Journal.​

APPLY NOW

KEY INFORMATION

  • Apply HERE​
    ​
    Read through the requirements below before you start.

  • September 23, 2026  Applications open​

    November 16, 2026    Applications close​

    December 4, 2026    Judging Day​

    Week of December 14, 2026    Applicants notified of outcome​

    March 2, 2027    National Graduate Showcase Runway​

  • Digital Folio:

    • Full body image of each look from your collection (4-6 pages) - high-resolution photography, front and back, clearly labelled, 2 images per page

    • Close-up images of collection details (2 pages) - high resolution photography of fabrication, fastenings, embellishment, craftsmanship

    • Imagery of previous work (1 page) - high-resolution photographs of past work or collections

    • Collection mood board (1 page)

    • Collection line-up illustration (1 page)

    • Optional: Additional collection imagery or workings you'd like to share (max. 3 pages) - sketches, imagery, or written documentation

      

    Collection Video:

    Designer Introduction & Collection Overview (approx. 30 seconds)

    • Introduce yourself and share a short summary of the concept and inspiration behind your collection.

    Garment Functionality & Runway Readiness (max. 3 minutes)

    For each look, please show:

    • The garments on a live model (preferred) or mannequin

    • Key design details, techniques, and fabric choices

    • Closures, fastenings, lining, and finishings (so the judges can assess wearability for the runway)

    • Any fit notes the stylist should know.

    • You're in the final year of a tertiary bachelor's or postgraduate fashion design degree at the time of application (June 2026-June 2027)​

    • Your graduate collection comprises at least 4 complete looks for the runway, with at least 3 complete at the time of application (the 4th may be submitted as an illustration)​

    • All submitted work is your own original design, forming part of your graduate collection​

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

    • Creative Vision & Originality - 35​

    • Technical Execution - 25​

    • Collection Strength & Cohesion - 20​

    • Runway Impact - 20​

  • All Finalists:  ​

    • Marketing and promotional exposure through the Showcase and Festival marketing, PR and social media activity​

    • Industry exposure through having your work reviewed by a panel of Australian fashion and industry professionals​

    • A place on a Premium Runway within the official 2027 PayPal Australian Fashion Festival program​

    • Dedicated Festival team support in the lead-up

    • A professional content package of runway and backstage photography and footage​

    • VIP access to selected 2027 Festival events, including the official Festival Launch Event​

  • View the Terms & Conditions​ here.