The current live competitions are exclusively available to universities that are part of the Graduate Fashion Foundation. This platform provides a unique opportunity for talented students from member institutions to showcase their skills and creativity in the fashion industry. For more details on the competitions, including how to participate, be sure to continue exploring the provided information.
Graduate Fashion Foundation X MAXXAM Textiles Design Competition
The Challenge:
We challenge you to design a trend-led womenswear S/S 2026 capsule collection utilising the famous seamless MAXXAM Textiles, creating one-size clothing invented in 1983 by Rosemary Moore after graduating from the RCA.
Create a timeless capsule collection of 5-7 pieces of athleisure wear suitable for a week's holiday. Designed to take the wearer from day trips to the beach, bar, and evening dinner. The collection must be multipurpose and must include at least one swimwear garment.
Sustainability should always be a key consideration. So please also consider fabric offcuts and design suitable accessories for your capsule wardrobe.
We are looking for you to create a professional digital design portfolio that communicates a range. This will show examples of trend prediction, your design handwriting through design development, attention to detail, and your reference points to get you to the final looks.
Things to Consider:
MAXXAM is a seamless jersey textile that creates one-size clothing. It has extremely good stretch and recovery in the length and width by 100%.
Recently we have also invented a mini Crinkle as well as a soft, spongy, smooth scuba cloth, including various stripe effects and patterns in both recycled and standard nylon/lycra in both matte and shiny surfaces, some with extra sparkle containing lurex.
MAXXAM is cost-effective in makeup due to its simple sewing requirements; waste is minimal. The patterns are cut on the side due to its seamless quality. We are happy to hand out samples of MAXXAM to those college departments who are interested in the challenge to help the students examine its characteristics.
Please request a sample pack from Rosie@graduatefashionweek.com with your staff name and address, and this will be posted to you ASAP.
Who is It Open to?
This brief is open to all second- and final-year students from all fashion-based degree courses at Graduate Fashion Week Member Universities in the UK and internationally.
If in doubt, please ask your tutor. Tutors, there are unlimited entries per university; please enter all relevant collections.
Join the Webinar to Find Out More:
Date: Wednesday, 19th February 2025
We invite all tutors and students participating in the competition to join GFW and hear directly from Rosemary Moore, the founder and creator of MAXXAM Textiles, on the competition brief and what the judging panel will be looking for from entries.
Link to join Webinar:
The Prize:
Three shortlisted winners will have their winning entry professionally manufactured and showcased at Graduate Fashion Week 2025 within the exhibition for 4 days and modelled by professional models within the Gala Show. These shortlisted winners will have the opportunity to work with Rosemary Moore and professional manufacturing peers to bring their designs to life, receiving a full 360-degree hands-on industry experience and factory visit.
Plus, the overall winner, selected from the shortlisted winners, will be presented with a trophy on the catwalk by Rosemary Moore, founder of MAXXAM Textiles, during the Graduate Fashion Foundation Gala Show on Monday, 16th June 2025, at 6 p.m. and receive a 拢250 cash prize alongside additional industry experiences and mentoring. There is a possibility that MAXXAM or one of their customers might take up one of the styles if they like any designs created by the winners.
Work Submission:
You will need to submit your body of work, including research on MAXXAM Textiles, trend and concept boards, range plan, and final design project outcomes, alongside a 500-word submission explaining your final project.
Students are encouraged to document their design journey with videos, reels, and images on social media channels and with #MAXXAMXGFW
Timings:
All digital entries must be submitted as one continuous PDF no larger than 10 MB. Please ensure you include the entrant's full name, university, course, and personal contact details.
Submissions can only be made by a university tutor and not by the student directly. Late entrants will not be included in the selection process.
Competition Closes: Wednesday, 2nd April at 6 p.m. GMT
Judging: 7th-11th April
Shortlisted Winners Announced: Monday, 14th April
GFW Showcase: 13th-16th June
Shortlisted Winners Work on the Runway: Monday, 16th June in the Gala Show
Overall Winner Announced: Monday, 16th June in the Gala Show