Next Gen

Presented by DHL

Established in 1996 with the goal of identifying Australia’s emerging designers, the Next Gen prize maximises visibility and sales opportunities for four winning designers by providing them with the opportunity to showcase their creative excellence on the runway at Australian Fashion Week. Previous winners include Akira, BEC + BRIDGE, CAMILLA & MARC, sass & bide and Anna Quan, among others.

Applications for the 2024 program are open between 19 October - 19 November, 2023.

Applications have now closed.

To determine the winners, IMG assembled a prestigious panel of global industry experts, including:

Adam Baidawi, Head of British GQ and Deputy Global Editorial Director of GQ

Alice Birrell, Fashion Features Director Vogue Australia

Aweng Choul, IMG Model

Bridget Veals, David Jones General Manager of Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories

Jess Blanch, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of RUSSH Magazine

Kim Russell, Stylist and Fashion Commentator

Libby Page, NET-A-PORTER Market Director

Luke Leitch, Global Contributor Vogue Runway & Vogue Business

Lyna Ty and Melvin Tanaya, Song for the Mute Designers

Mitchell Harcourt, IMG Fashion Events and Properties Asia-Pacific Director of Marketing and Programming

Naomi Smith, Fashion Director Marie Claire and ELLE Australia

Nathan McGuire, IMG Model and Mob in Fashion Founder

Patty Huntington, Harper’s Bazaar Features and Fashion News Director and WWD Correspondent

Criteria

Next Gen is open to all Australian citizens currently residing in Australia, and Australian permanent residents aged 18 years and older.

To apply, applicants must have been producing commercially available apparel for a minimum of 2 year and a maximum of 6 years (at the time of submitting their application) under a registered Australian business name with an ABN along with an operating “Ecommerce element” to their website.

Applicants should have an essential focus on sustainable and ethical business practices and demonstrate an innovative use of fabrics and textiles. Applicants must also adapt at least 1 of the following sustainability criteria:

  • Sustainable materials: set goals for using sustainable materials. At least 50% of the collection to use more sustainable materials, for example GOTS certified organic cotton, Better Cotton, fair trade cotton; recycled or regenerated fibres; sustainable viscose; nontoxic dyes; low water uses etc.

  • Low waste: address waste in the design room at the pre consumer stage, through patterns, off cuts, dead stock etc. and/or implement sustainable packaging solutions

  • Circularity: consider end of use at the design stage. Solutions include compostable, biodegradable garments and/or circular fibres, takeback schemes, resale/reuse, or repair

  • Ethical supply chain: be accredited by a third-party certification body such as Ethical Clothing Australia, Fair Wear Foundation or Fair Trade or B Corp, operate as a social enterprise or partner with an ethical supply chain partner such as Artisans of Fashion, Ethical Fashion Initiative

  • Transparency: make public information about sustainability plans, goals, achievements, and work to do

  • Social impact: campaigns, giving back

  • Carbon footprint: detailed plan to reduce carbon footprint

The Prize

The Next Gen prize maximises visibility and sales opportunities for four winning designers by providing them with the opportunity to showcase their creative excellence on the runway at Australian Fashion Week. The Next Gen prize is valued at over $100,000 and includes:

• Dedicated runway show featuring 4 winning designers on the official Australian Fashion Week schedule

• Content package including runway photography, show video and livestream to a global audience

• Dedicated brand campaign featuring looks from the 4 winning designers

• Dedicated PR, social media, and digital marketing strategy

• $2,000 DHL International shipping credits with DHL Express for each winner

• One on one meeting with a DHL Fashion logistics expert

• Promotion across DHL global social networks