NFTD 2026
Scenes from the Final Judging Event
The final judging fashion show for the Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo 2026 was held at the Toranomon Hills Station Atrium on Sunday, March 29th. 12 finalist teams for the Governor of Tokyo Award (6 from the Free Category and 6 from the Inclusive Design Category) and 6 teams for the Special Selection Award (2 from the Free Category and 3 from the Inclusive Design Category), having already passed the rigorous second round of judging, showcased their work on the runway in front of an enthusiastic audience.
Following a thorough review by the panel of judges, the Governor of Tokyo Award in the Free Category was presented to Yotaro Onishi (Esmod Tokyo), while the Grand Prix in the Inclusive Design Category went to Nanami MacFarlane (Bunka Fashion College).
The event also featured workshops led by special advisors as well as individual advice sessions with professional merchandisers, pattern makers, and designers, providing expert support. Still, it was ultimately the finalists’ own creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that made this show truly special.
Runway
Each second-round finalist created three complete looks, which were showcased on the runway. Despite the short production timeline, every piece reflected a high degree of technical skill and passion, fully embodying the designer’s original concept. The works captivated the large audience gathered at the venue.
Talk Show
A talk show was also held featuring judges Kunihiko Morinaga, Chizuru Mukai, Yukari Ota, and Yusuke Takahashi. Under the theme “The Importance of Sustainability in Fashion ~ Sustainability from the Edo Period to Today,” the judges shared their reflections on the final judging, as well as their hopes and expectations for the next generation of designers.
Award Ceremony
During the award ceremony, the Special Selection Prizes in both the Free Category and Inclusive Design Category were presented by Katsuhiko Hibino. The Tokyo Governor’s Award of Excellence in both categories was awarded by Katsuhiko Hibino and Yumiko Hara. Finally, the Grand Prix for the Tokyo Governor’s Award in both the Free and Inclusive Design categories was presented by Governor Yuriko Koike.
Backstage
Backstage, the finalists began fitting their garments to models starting the day before the event, while also creating styling sheets as part of a hands-on workshop. They kept carefully checking every detail up until the moment the show began. Experiencing the intense, backstage atmosphere of show production gave these young designers invaluable experience for their future careers in the fashion industry.









































