Emerging Designer: Submission Guide

To be eligible to enter the 2026 Emerging Designer Award, applicants must fulfil and agree to abide by the criteria specified in the Competition Terms & Conditions, which includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Must be an Australian resident, living in Australia during the competition period.

• Must be, and ensure any model is, at least 18 years of age on the final day registration closes, Friday 2 October 2026.

• Millinery and accompanying outfit are not permitted to promote commercially a brand, store or designer.

• Must not receive any compensation from a third party for participating in this competition.

• Must not be a previous winner of the Design Award or Emerging Designer Award.

• Must not enter the 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field Best Dressed or Best Suited competitions.

• Must not be a current or previous employee or representative of the promoter (or model if applicable).

• Physical attendance will be required for the successful finalists.

• Any item of clothing, headwear or accessory that appears in the Emerging Designer Award is not permitted in the Millinery Award.

• Entrants are not permitted to alter or add to their outfit and accompanying outfit in any way from the beginning until the end of the competition.

• All prizes awarded to the entrant must remain the property of the entrant and are not transferable, exchangeable or redeemable for cash.

A panel of judges will choose the top finalists who will be invited to compete for the coveted 2026 Emerging Designer Award title. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email.

Applicants will be selected based on the following criteria: 

• Creativity: A unique design that showcases an imaginative and innovative look unlike anything ever seen in this fashion category. Colour, texture, cut and the inclusion of accessories will all form part of the judging criteria in this section.

• Excellence in Manufacturing: Skill demonstrated across design, technique and craft of construction, showing an eye for every detail.

• Design Vision: The ideation behind the submission is a critical part of the design process and our judges will be getting underneath the development process and vision. Getting to know how the designer thinks, plans and brings their creations to life is just as important to our judges as the creations themselves.

• Sustainability: The Victoria Racing Club encourages sustainability in the sourcing, manufacturing and design process and the minimisation of their impact on the environment.

Yes, only residents of Australia can enter the competition.

By entering the competition, the entrant acknowledges the Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Each Entrant submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts exercising jurisdiction there in connection with matters concerning these Terms and waives any rights to claim that those courts are an inconvenient forum. For further eligibility detail, please refer to the published Terms & Conditions.

After the judging of entries, images may be used on official VRC media channels and to promote future Emerging Designer Awards and/or the Fashions on the Field Competition, Melbourne Cup Carnival or other Victoria Racing Club owned events.

We aim to accommodate as many entries as possible on Howden Victoria Derby Day, Saturday 31 October 2026. The final number of entrants selected will be determined by the quality of submissions and each entrant's ability to participate on the day.

Yes, if invited, you must be trackside at the Final to present your outfit, alongside your model (if applicable), for broadcast purposes.

All entries for the 2026 Emerging Designer Award are reviewed by industry expert judges. The top entries are then contacted and invited to showcase their designs at Howden Victoria Derby Day. An in-person showcase allows on-course judges to submit their votes and the winners are announced.

No, you can use a different model. It is the outfit design that is being judged; hence the design must not change.