The National Designer Awards (NDA) is the flagship annual fashion event of the World Designing Forum (WDF), celebrating the nation’s top design talent. It brings together upcoming, emerging, and established designers from across India in a grand showcase of creativity and innovation.
15000+
Designers from Kashmir to Kanyakumari at previous finale
10,000+
Community Members
8
Seasons of Excellence
8000+
Designers Nationwide in Latest Edition
The latest edition saw participation from over 300 designers nationwide and attracted 100+ international guests, underscoring NDA’s growing global reach. Celebrated couturiers like Ken Ferns and Neeta Lulla have been honored on the NDA stage, affirming the Awards’ prestige.
Dec 12–16, 2025 in Goa
Be part of India’s biggest fashion celebration.
The World Designing Forum (WDF) is a world-class platform and community for fashion designers, aimed at empowering designers with opportunities for exposure, business growth, and skill development. Our vision is to blend creative excellence with business opportunities, operating on par with leading international fashion bodies. WDF is committed to the “Vocal for Local” initiative, championing Indian handloom and craftsmanship on global runways, aligning with national objectives to promote indigenous textiles.
NDA is WDF’s flagship annual event, established in 2018 and now in its 8th edition, to recognize and elevate top design talent across India. State-level competitions and regional fashion shows are conducted throughout the year to unearth local talent, culminating in the grand National Designer Awards finale. By bringing state winners and independent applicants together, NDA ensures representation from every region and celebrates India’s diverse fashion heritage on a single stage.
The Awards aim to blend heritage with modernity, promoting innovation, sustainability, and cross-cultural exchange in fashion. NDA is not only a competition but also a platform for collaboration, learning, and global exposure for Indian designers. WDF’s inclusive ethos welcomes designers at all career stages – from newcomers to veterans – positioning NDA as a springboard for national recognition, industry connections, mentorship, and business deals.
The NDA program is governed by WDF’s robust organizational structure. An independent Selection Committee of esteemed industry experts oversees the shortlisting of finalists, ensuring a merit-based, transparent selection process. WDF's not-for-profit spirit ensures 75% of any event surplus is reinvested into programs for designers’ benefit.
The National Designer Awards feature multiple award categories to honor excellence across different facets of fashion design. Discover where your talent shines!
The Eligibility & Entry Criteria page clearly outlines who can participate in the National Designer Awards and what requirements must be met.
Understand how the National Designer Awards unfold, from registration to the grand finale.
Early each year, WDF officially announces the new season of NDA, highlighting the theme, categories, and key dates. This stage encourages designers to start preparing their portfolios.
Example: NDA 2026 applications open in early January 2026.
Designers get several weeks to register online and submit required materials, including portfolios, concept notes, and images/videos of past work.
Example: May – July (approx. 6-8 weeks)
WDF conducts state or zonal competitions. Winners automatically earn a spot in the NDA finals. The Selection Committee finalizes the list of 50-100 finalists.
Example: June – September
Finalists work on their collections. WDF facilitates mentorship sessions where industry mentors advise on refining runway presentation and styling.
Example: October – November
The culmination is a multi-day event including fashion shows, judging, and a gala awards night where winners are announced and felicitated.
Example: December 12–16, 2025 in Goa
Winners receive prestigious trophies, media publicity, and opportunities to collaborate with major brands. All finalists gain access to WDF’s "Hire A Designer" platform.
Example: Ongoing after December
Access official news, press releases, and media resources about the National Designer Awards.
Explore notable articles and TV segments featuring NDA, and download our official media kit for comprehensive resources.
Find quick answers to common questions about participation, judging, and the event.
Any fashion designer who meets our eligibility criteria can participate – whether you are an emerging designer or an established name. We welcome designers from all across India (and occasionally guest international designers). You must be at least 18 years old and have original designs to showcase. Please refer to our Eligibility section for details.
Not necessarily. WDF does organize state and regional showcases to identify talent, and winners from those are automatically shortlisted for NDA. However, we also accept direct applications from designers nationwide. All applications – whether via state events or direct – are reviewed by our Selection Committee on merit. If you missed a state event, you can still apply online.
Yes, there is a nominal participation fee to help cover event costs. The fee is tiered – a basic entry fee during application, and if selected as a finalist, a showcase fee for the final event. We often have sponsorships or scholarships to support upcoming designers, so finances should not be a barrier. The exact fee for this year is listed on the Registration page.
Winners gain the prestigious NDA trophy and title, as well as media coverage in leading fashion outlets. Additionally, there are often tangible rewards: past winners have earned opportunities to collaborate with major brands, launch capsule collections in sponsor stores, or get invited to showcase at international fashion weeks. All finalists benefit from increased exposure, networking, and access to WDF’s resources.
We recommend subscribing to our newsletter (see the footer) and following our official social media accounts. We are active on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube – where we post updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, and important announcements. By following us, you’ll be among the first to know about deadlines, finalist lists, and more.
We look forward to hearing from you – whether you’re a designer with a dream, a sponsor with a vision, or a fashion enthusiast with feedback. The World Designing Forum team is here to help!
T: 02269646422
M: +91-9355702700, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54
E: business@worlddesigningforum.com
A: World Designing Forum, Tower T4, A-1212, NX1, TechZone 4, Greater Noida West, 201306, India
We typically respond within 2 business days.