El-Balad.com reports the announcement of the ten finalists for the National Designer Award, which will take place as part of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival. This event celebrates the 30th anniversary of recognizing emerging fashion talent in Australia.
2026 National Designer Award Finalists
The National Designer Award, in partnership with David Jones, features designers who are within their first eight years of business. The finalists for 2026 are:
- Alvi Chung (Speed)
- Erik Yvon
- Gabriella Pereira (Beare Park)
- Grace Kelly (Joaen)
- Hannah Kim (Haluminous)
- Jackie Galleghan (Madre Natura)
- Justin Tong
- Nathaniel Youkhana (Youkhana)
- Rachel Van Brussel (Van Brussel)
- Victoria Bliss
Event Details
The designers will showcase their collections at the National Designer Award runway on 24 February 2026. The venue for this prestigious event is the Royal Exhibition Building.
Awards and Recognition
On the night of the event, three awards will be given. The top prize includes a cash bursary of $20,000 and a business development package from David Jones valued at $150,000. Additional recognitions include:
- Honourable Mention for Sustainability
- People’s Choice Award
The public can participate by voting for the People’s Choice Award from 29 January to 17 February.
