Fashion Show Held by 'Budding Designers' (Mar 29)

[Tokyo] Fashion Contests 'NFDT' and 'SFDA' to Nurture Young Designers The Tokyo Metropolitan Government hosts two fashion contests to discover and nurture fashion designers who will soar out into the world: 'Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo (NFDT)' for students living or studying in Tokyo, and the 'Sustainable Fashion Design Award (SFDA)' for students and amateur designers, which utilizes kimono fabrics and other materials. Recently, 35 groups (total entries) of 'budding designers' gathered for the final judging event, held in a fashion show format at Toranomon Hills on Sunday, March 29. Across all four categories, the 'Tokyo Governor's Award (1 Grand Prize, 2 Excellence Awards)' was determined by a judging panel including Paris Fashion Week designers, while the 'Special Selection Award (1 group)' was decided by public vote. The 16 winning groups (total entries) will receive up to 1 million yen in prize money from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, alongside brand launch support and an incubation program to help them thrive as globally active designers, including opportunities to present their works during Paris Fashion Week. ANREALAGE's Mr. Morinaga and Tomoe Shinohara Served as Judges; Governor Koike Also Attended On the day of the event, a gorgeous panel of 15 leading industry professionals served as judges (with one member absent on the day but judging in advance), including Katsuhiko Hibino (President of Tokyo University of the Arts), Paris Fashion Week designer Kunihiko Morinaga (ANREALAGE), and artist Tomoe Shinohara. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike also attended. In her congratulatory address, the Governor told the participating designers, 'I offer my congratulations to all the winners, and to those who missed out this time, I hope you will challenge yourselves again.' She also stated, 'I believe Tokyo is a hub for broadcasting fashion to the world and a vital place for nurturing talent. I sincerely hope that all of you will spread your wings globally.'