Japan fashion awards announce winners and finalists

Major fashion design awards in Japan have announced their latest winners, highlighting emerging talent and established brands aiming for international expansion.

YKK Co., Ltd. and YKK Snap Fastener Co., Ltd. have concluded the second stage of the 26th YKK Fastening Award. From a pool of 9,502 entries, 30 works were selected across the apparel and fashion goods categories. The finalists will showcase their designs at fashion shows in Osaka and Tokyo in October 2026 as part of the ‘YKK FASTENING CREATION for 2027’ exhibition.

Separately, the Tokyo Fashion Award 2027 and the Fashion Prize of Tokyo 2027 have announced their recipients. The Tokyo Fashion Award selected eight brands to receive support for global business expansion, including pop-up stores in Seoul and showrooms in Paris. Selected brands include Shiota, GGG, Midorikawa, OriMi, Garwin, Pourde, Orohee, and Takemaru.

The Fashion Prize of Tokyo 2027 awarded its grand prize to the brand Tanaka. Based in New York, Tanaka was recognized for its ability to elevate denim into elegant apparel. The award includes support for runway events during the Paris Fashion Weeks in early 2027.