Vogue partners with VRC to provide a memorable and career altering experience for the winner of the Emerging Designer Award. This prize will shine a light on VRC's commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation in the fashion world. The winner of the Emerging Designer award will join Vogue Australia for a Paris Fashion Week runway experience. The opportunity to see, experience and connect with the leading fashion minds in the world. In a money can't buy experience, we encourage young designers to participate and put Australian fashion and racing on a global stage.

First Place Prizes:

• Win a Paris Fashion Week runway experience with Vogue Australia valued at over $20,000
• Media Coverage by Vogue Australia, across multi-channels valued at $20,000
• Sofitel Melbourne on Collins Voucher valued at $2,950
• Media coverage by VRC, Inside Headquarters Magazine valued at $2,850
• TCL TV & Appliance Package valued at $1,999
• A years’ supply of Schweppes valued at $500
• Penfold’s Henri Shiraz 2019 1.5ltr valued at $310
• Paramount+ 12 month Subscription valued at $119

Total First Prize Value $48,728

2 x Runner-up Prizes:

• Sofitel - Melbourne on Collins Voucher valued at $2,900
• TCL TV and Entertainment Package valued at $1,500
• Voucher valued at $1,000
• A years’ supply of Schweppes valued at $500
• A Gift from Penfolds valued at $200
• Paramount+ 12 Month Subscription valued at $119

Total Runner up Value $6,219 each

Applicants who are interested in entering the 2023 Emerging Designer Award, are required to follow the submission criteria as outlined below:

• Create and construct the outfit you wish to enter.
• Create a video diary outlining your creative inspiration, construction techniques and overall design process. Video to be no longer than 5 minutes.
• Photograph your completed outfit on either a model or mannequin.
• Produce a portfolio outlining your design style, your background (including education and/ or work experience) and a suite of images showcasing your work. If applicable, please include any PR and media exposure received or links to websites or social media accounts. This portfolio should be one (1) PDF document.
• Submit your photographs, portfolio and video diary via the mccfashionsonthefield.com website.

To be eligible to enter the 2023 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 and must be 18 years of age or more as at the day of final judging, Saturday 4 November 2023.
• 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 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field Best Dressed or Best Suited competitions.
• 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 then choose the top finalists who will be invited to compete for the coveted 2023 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.

The VRC supports and encourages sustainability in the sourcing, manufacturing and design process and the minimisation of their impact on the environment.

Emerging Designer Award terms and conditions can be found here.

See below for additional information and frequently asked questions.

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 available when the competition goes live.

Once your entries are submitted and approved (you will receive notification of this), you may share your entry on social platforms.

The video diary will need to be submitted at the point of entry submission.

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

Once your entries are submitted and approved (you will receive notification of this), you may share your entry on social platforms.

We are aiming to accommodate the Top 10 finalists on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, Saturday 4 November 2023. The final number will be determined according to quality of entries and ability to represent on the day.

If invited, you must be trackside to present your design, especially if you make it to final for broadcast purposes.

The trackside format of the Emerging Designer Award showcase and the announcement of the top 10 finalists and 2023 MCC FOTF Emerging Designer Award winner will be as per 2022 with an in-person showcase featuring semi-finals and a final on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, Saturday 4 November, 2023.

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