RULES & TIMELINE

Official Competition Guidelines

Complete rules, regulations, and schedule for Fashion Design Grand Prix 2026

2026 COMPETITION TIMELINE

A comprehensive 18-month journey from application to crowning the global fashion champion

PHASE 1: GLOBAL APPLICATIONS

January 1 – July 31, 2026

• Applications open worldwide
• Portfolio submissions
• Video pitch requirements
• Design challenge completion
• Initial screening process

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PHASE 2: REGIONAL SELECTION

August 1 – September 30, 2026

• Expert jury review
• Regional representation balance
• Cultural diversity assessment
• 16 finalists announced
• Pre-competition preparation

PHASE 3: GLOBAL COMPETITION TOUR

October 2026 – November 2027

• 11 cities worldwide tour
• Elimination rounds
• Cultural challenges
• Celebrity mentorship
• Public voting participation

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PHASE 4: GRAND FINALE

December 15, 2027

• Budapest championship final
• Top 3 final collections
• Global audience finale
• $1M grand prize award
• Champion crowned

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & RULES

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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Age: 18-35 years old at time of application
✓
Citizenship: Any nationality welcome
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Education: Any background (formal or self-taught)
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Language: English proficiency required
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Availability: Full commitment for 18 months
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Health: Physical and mental fitness for travel

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION

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Designs: 10-15 original fashion designs
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Completed Pieces: Minimum 3 finished garments
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Technical Drawings: Detailed construction specs
✓
Inspiration: Mood boards and design process
✓
Format: High-resolution digital files (PDF/JPG)
✓
Originality: All work must be original and unpublished

APPLICATION FEES

$2,500 USD

Standard Application Fee

Fee Includes:

• Application processing
• Portfolio review by experts
• Participation in design challenges
• Access to preparatory materials
• Competition insurance coverage

Payment options: Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal
Refund policy: Non-refundable after submission

DISQUALIFICATION CRITERIA

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Plagiarism: Copying existing designs
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False Information: Fraudulent application details
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Misconduct: Inappropriate behavior during competition
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Rule Violations: Breaking competition guidelines
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External Assistance: Unauthorized help during challenges
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Commercial Conflicts: Undisclosed brand partnerships

COMPETITION RULES & REGULATIONS

DESIGN CHALLENGE RULES

• Time Limits: 48-72 hours per challenge
• Budget Constraints: $1,500-3,000 per city
• Material Sourcing: Local suppliers only
• Team Assistance: Limited to 1 local assistant
• Technology Use: AI tools permitted with disclosure
• Sustainability: Minimum 30% eco-friendly materials
• Cultural Respect: Mandatory cultural sensitivity guidelines
• Originality: All designs must be original creations

ELIMINATION PROCESS

• Voting Breakdown: 40% jury, 35% audience, 25% cultural
• Cities 1-3: Bottom scorer eliminated each city
• Cities 4-7: Bottom 2 eliminated every other city
• Cities 8-10: Single elimination format
• Appeals Process: 24-hour window for score disputes
• Tiebreaker: Audience vote percentage decides
• Final 3: Advance to Budapest grand finale
• Transparency: All scores published in real-time

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

• Design Ownership: Designers retain full IP rights
• Media Rights: Competition footage belongs to FDGP
• Commercial Use: Mutual agreement for mass production
• Portfolio Rights: Free use for personal promotion
• Blockchain Protection: All designs digitally registered
• Non-Disclosure: Results confidential until broadcast
• Attribution: FDGP credit required for 2 years
• Legal Protection: International copyright enforcement

PRIZE STRUCTURE

Grand Prize Winner:
$1,000,000 + Mentorship + Fashion Week Show

Runner-up (2nd Place): $250,000
Third Place: $150,000

Category Winners:
• Haute Couture: $150,000
• Ready-to-Wear: $100,000
• Sustainable: $125,000
• Streetwear: $100,000
• Digital Tech: $200,000

Special Awards: $15,000-50,000 each

KEY DATES & DEADLINES

JAN 1, 2026

Applications Open

Global application period begins. Early bird discount available until March 1st.

JUL 31, 2026

Application Deadline

Final deadline for all submissions. No extensions granted.

SEP 30, 2026

Finalists Announced

16 selected designers revealed. Pre-competition preparation begins.

OCT 15, 2026

Competition Begins

First city challenge kicks off in Tokyo. Global tour starts.

DEC 15, 2027

Grand Finale

Budapest championship final. Winner crowned and $1M awarded.

JAN 2028

Winner’s Fashion Week

Champion debuts at Paris Fashion Week with dedicated show.

LEGAL & CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Participants agree to full media participation
• Travel and accommodation provided by FDGP
• Health and travel insurance mandatory
• Non-disclosure agreements apply during filming
• Behavioral standards must be maintained
• Legal compliance with all local laws required

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

• Independent arbitration panel available
• 24-hour window for formal appeals
• London courts have final jurisdiction
• English law governs all agreements
• Mediation preferred before litigation
• Final decisions binding on all parties

LIABILITY & INSURANCE

• Comprehensive travel insurance provided
• Equipment and materials coverage included
• Personal liability protection up to $2M
• Force majeure clause protects all parties
• Emergency medical coverage worldwide
• Professional indemnity insurance active

INTERNATIONAL COMPLIANCE

• All visa requirements handled by FDGP
• Work permits secured for each location
• Tax obligations clearly documented
• Cultural sensitivity training mandatory
• Local law compliance verification
• Anti-corruption policies strictly enforced

READY TO COMPETE?

Review all rules carefully and submit your application to join fashion’s ultimate competition

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