Fashion Design
This category celebrates innovative fashion rooted in African identity and contemporary expression. From ready-to-wear and haute couture to textile innovation and accessories, it highlights designers who push boundaries while honouring craftsmanship, sustainability, and cultural narratives. The AIDA Awards recognise bold creative voices shaping the future of African fashion locally and globally.
Through the Africa International Design Awards – Fashion Design category, we recognise the undeniable impact fashion has on our daily lives. With 22 categories, from haute couture to prêt-à-porter, or sustainable fashion to accessories, footwear, and textiles, the award gives credit to the important contributions of passionate African fashion designers.
Submission Details
Entries can be submitted as conceptual designs, in progress, or launched projects. The only restriction is that entries or completed projects must be no more than five years old.
Entries should include high-quality images showcasing the front, back, and side views of each garment or accessory, as well as contextual images such as runway shots, editorial styling, or the piece in use. Please provide sketches, technical drawings, or mood boards that illustrate the design process and creative intent.
If the submission involves a reworked or upcycled design, include clear before-and-after images to highlight the transformation. For collections, a group overview image is recommended to present the full creative vision.
Submissions can be made as a company, an independent designer or as a student. Winners are chosen based on a single project – not for a body of work.
Submission Requirements
- Provide a brief description of the collection, garment, or fashion concept, including inspiration, materials used, and intended purpose or context.
- Include a Designer, Student, and/or Brand Profile (or University, if applicable).
- List all contributors involved in the creation of the design (e.g., designer, pattern maker, stylist, photographer, mentor, professor, etc.).
- Upload up to 10 images showcasing the work from multiple angles (front, back, details, in-context/running or editorial shots), including an optional brand or company logo.
- If applicable, include design development visuals such as sketches, technical drawings, or mood boards that place the work in context.
- For reworked, restored, or upcycled garments, please include both before and after images to show the transformation.
- Fashion Specification PDF (recommended for conceptual or student projects) — Include technical specs, fabric sourcing, sizing details, or production notes.
For more information, please download the AIDA Awards Entry Guide 2026.
Categories
- Haute Couture
- Prêt-à-porter
- Avant-Garde
- Casual Wear
- Sportswear
- Cultural & Traditional Costumes
- Sleepwear & Lingerie
- Wedding & Ballgown
- Sustainable Fashion
- Other Fashion Designs
- Fashion Tech & 3D Print
- Textile: Print design
- Textile: Eco-Textile & Bio-Based Fabric
- Textile: Traditional Print
- Accessory: Bags and Luggage
- Accessory: Jewellery
- Footwear: Fashion Shoes
- Footwear: Sport Performance
- Footwear: Artistic Shoes
- Footwear: Medical Shoes
Fashion Design Jury Members
Categories and Submission FAQ
You may enter the same product design into as many categories as you see fit. In fact, doing so may increase your chances of winning. However, there is an additional fee for each additional category you enter.
No, you may submit as many entries as you wish, and if you submit multiple entries at the same time.
The jury will select the winners in each category based on individual designs and products, not on an entire body of work/collection of work, so each design or project should be submitted as a separate entry.
Ready to showcase your design?
Bibi Seck @OmarVictorDiop