National Designer Awards

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.

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