UpNXT is an emerging fashion designers’ acceleration program operated by FashioNXT’s expert organization. From showing on a world-class runway show, exposure to a huge influencer audience, mentorship by the industry specialists, media and business opportunities, to a cash prize — UpNXT is designed for catapulting the fashion careers from the emerging stage to a professional level.
Winner of 2017 UpNXT
Minnie Opal by Sundari Devi
Winner of 2017 People's Choice UpNXT
Oscar Dominick
Winner of 2016 UpNXT
Moore
Winner of 2015 UpNXT
German Madrigal
Winner of 2014 UpNXT
Myriam Marcela
Winner of 2013 UpNXT
Amy Sim
UpNXT — The Fashion Accelerator
2017 UpNXT Finalists
Sundari Franklin
Heidi Brown
OscarDominick
Lou Flowers
James Hunt
2017 Judges
Seth Aaron
Fashion Designer of Project Runway S9
Michelle Lesniak
Fashion Designer/Winner of Project Runway S11
Anne Bocci
Owner of Anne Bocci Boutique
2018 UpNXT: How to Participate
Designer Qualifications:
Ready to Wear or Couture Apparel Collection Designers
Annual Revenue Below $30,000
Audition Requirements:
Designer is required to attend audition in July (Date: TBA) at a Portland location that FashioNXT will communicate to those who turn in the application form below. Space is limited, so it’s advised to apply ASAP. In the audition designers will bring four to six samples from past collections, or work designer has recently completed, to a high-profile judging panel. Note at this stage you do NOT need to bring a new or complete collection. Judges will select the finalists for the accelerator program and a runway show competition at FashioNXT Week in October.
Audition Submission fee: $50 (after June 1st $75)
Runway Show Participation Fee (Only for the Finalists):
$550 (for applications filed till April 1st)
$750 (for applications filed till June 1st)
$1,000 (for applicants after June 1st)
Information for Designers Who Need to Travel >>
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Finalists Benefits & Requirements
Designers selected as finalists need to present a cohesive collection of 6 to 8 head-to-toe looks on the runway at FashioNXT Week in October.
See Details of UpNXT Runway Show Services>>
The runway collection will be judged for collection quality & aesthetics, creativity/originality and overall cohesiveness.
Marketability will be evaluated based on website, look-book and social-media strategy.
Designers maybe given up to three runway styling challenges.
Attendees of the finalists’ runway show at FashioNXT Week vote for their fave designers.
Judges will decide on the UpNXT winner, to be announced after the show.
Mentorship by FashioNXT Incubator:
Finalists receive mentorship from FashioNXT Fashion Incubator. Industry experts will cover topics cover the step by step from collection design all the way to sales:
- Design: How to develop a cohesive winning collection: by a former UpNXT winner
- Costing: Costing analysis for production
- Marketing: Digital Marketing Strategy: Blog, Media, Social
- Launch: How to better utilize fashion show as a marketing tool
- Sales: How to impress a buyer and get an account
Winner's Prize Package
- Show Publicly: Complimentary full collection runway show in the regular designers line-up at 2019 FashioNXT Week
- Cash Prize: $500 for fabric expense for 2019 FashioNXT Week’s collection
- Certificate of winning
Business Mentorship:
- Mercy Corp of NW gives scholarship to a business fundamentals class, a $350 value, required to qualify for a grant of up to $6,000
- Other professional memberships secured by FashioNXT for the designer at a significantly discounted or complimentary rate
Media & PR:
Features in major local media
Exclusive feature in FashioNXT blog and 3 social media postings
Business Accounts:
Boutique representation for select finalists, and winner, as decided by participating boutique owners
Please note, prizes/benefits offered by third party entities are included in good faith based on the expressed commitment of those third parties. FashioNXT can’t be held liable in the case of any third party’s inability or unwillingness to honor their commitments in part or in full.
Now I can totally see why FashioNXT lists this experience as taking the winner's label to next level. Oh my! True! And I am so grateful for your vision of supporting fashion forward in Portland and beyond.
I had a great success launching my new line, Grace Marie Original, after winning last year's UpNXT. Thanks to FashioNXT!
Portland has strongly established itself as the most fertile hotbed of emerging talents in fashion industry. I am glad to be a part of your success to continue to be the most effective program in the region where emerging designers get the boost for bigger national platform!
UpNXT Partners
