Here are the 6 finalists of the National Designer Award at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival

The brightest and best.

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival (PayPal MFF) has announced the six finalists of its prestigious National Designer Award for 2022. As Australia’s most distinguished and longest-running fashion award, the National Designer Award, presented by David Jones, offers emerging designers the chance to increase brand awareness, upskill and develop their businesses.

This year the award has increased prize money and an expanded program, with the six finalists having the chance to win a prize pool of $130,000, with an increased main prize of $20,000 and a new $10,000 prize for sustainability.

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And for the first time in the award’s 26 year history, David Jones is introducing the People’s Choice Award, giving the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite designer out of this year’s six finalists.

This year’s finalists are Beare Park, Blanca Studio, E Nolan, Clea, Alemais and Joslin. The winner will be crowned during PayPal MFF’s Fashion Summit Program, this year taking place in July to encourage connection with the Australian fashion industry beyond the March Festival.

Bridget Veals, David Jones’ General Manager of Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories, says the National Designer Award highlights Australian designers that are excelling in a variety of areas and acknowledges their potential to contribute to the growth of Australia’s fashion industry.

“Now in its 26th year, the National Designer Award has been an invaluable springboard for new talent to gain the resources and exposure they need to elevate their brand on the national stage. So many of our much-loved and internationally recognised Australian designers including Toni Maticevski, P.E. Nation and Dion Lee have been recipients of this award early in their careers,” she says.

To find out more about PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s 2022 program, head here.