Announced on 14 October at Taipei’s Heritage Square, Kong Zong Cultural Base, the competition attracted 530 emerging designers, with 12 finalists showcasing their complete collections during Taipei Fashion Week. Their work explored sculptural silhouettes, cultural references, experimental material treatments and the relationship between garment and body, offering an exciting glimpse into the next generation of international design talent.
MEET THE 2026 WINNERS
· FIRST PRIZE | Takumi Ogura (Japan) — Future Groom — US$10,000
· SECOND PRIZE | Chen Li-Yue — To Grandma — US$5,000
· SECOND PRIZE | Weng Yu-Hsuan — Flaking Strata — US$5,000
· THIRD PRIZE – BEST USE OF FABRICS | Kao Wan-Ci — The Child I Refuse to Abandon — US$3,000
· THIRD PRIZE – BEST PATTERN MAKING | Jaehee Kwon (South Korea) — Schuroop (It’s rainy, but…) — US$3,000
· THIRD PRIZE – BEST MARKET POTENTIAL |
