ARTIST
MANAGEMENT
ENTRY

NEWS

STATEMENT

The fashion industry needs to change.

We search, praise, and educate future fashion designers who have the courage and ambition to overcome this situation.

I believe in the power of imagination, but how can we create a better society with our imagination?

 

Climate change, global pandemic, war… I wonder, what can fashion achieve under these realities.

 

This program was established in 2021, under the belief that to search, praise, and educate future fashion designers who have the courage and ambition to overcome these situations will lead us to a better society.

 

Anyone can apply who has a passion to take a new step as a fashion designer. Those who were chosen as the finalists, will be required to realize a garment design which achieves both social responsibility and creativity. A wide range of support will be provided from various advisers and experts, as well as an opportunity to present your creation.

 

Us mankind has been developed our society by creating, and wearing garments. Food, garments and housings-we are the only species who wear garments. That’s why I believe thinking about garment is equal to thinking about future of us.

 

FASHION FRONTIER PROGRAM is open to everyone who are passionate to think, and create the future together with us.

 

Founder: Fashion designer, Yuima Nakazato

ABOUT

FASHION FRONTIER PROGRAM is a new learning opportunity that combines five programs.
01 | AWARD AWARD Where we define fashion for the coming era

We will think about social responsibility and beauty to be embodied and appreciated. We will consider the future of fashion through interaction with judges who have unique perspectives with diverse backgrounds.

02 | INCUBATION INCUBATION Where we support participants

We will provide participants with a wide range of support, including opportunities to learn from supporters and advisors from various genres, materials pffer, assistance and advice from technicians necessary for production, as well as opportunities to present their work and disseminate it through the media.

03 | SCOUTING SCOUTING Where we spotlight future talents

We provide opportunities for those who want to take a new step forward as a fashion designer regardless of age, profession, or experience. We will also search for talented people from domestic fashion related educational institutions and high schools.

04 | MATCHING MATCHING Where the chemistry happens

We will provide a place where the participants can encounter with various companies, as well as the other participants, who have the qualities needed to be active as designers, in terms of creativity, awareness of social responsibility, presentation skills, and business skills.

05 | LABORATORY LAB Where you develop your ideas

Selected 8 finalists can attend the Lab discretionally. Lab which is held on parallel with the program, will be a great opportunity to continuously learn, and to develop your idea.

Who Can Apply
Those who aspire to explore the frontiers of fashion by combining their original ideas with a social responsibility perspective. Anyone at any age can apply. Any specific profession or experience are not required.
Program Timeline
April 21st - June 1st
Application Period
Upon applying, please prepare the document and fill out the entry form.
The angles of jury are below.
Late July
Primary Selection
16 semi-finalists will be selected from the applicants.
From August
1st Incubation Program
The 16 semi-finalists selected in the primary selection will be granted with expert advice from diverse fields, online seminar access, and opportunities for thematic discussions.
Late September
Secondary Selection
8 finalists will be selected from the 16 semi-finalists.
From September
2nd Incubation Program
The 8 finalists selected in the secondary selection will be granted with partial production funding, technical guidance from experts, and professional photography of their works.
Late November
Final Selection
1 grand prize winner and 2 runner-up will be selected from the 8 finalists.
* For program events requiring attendance in Tokyo, we will provide partial transportation expense reimbursement for participants residing in a distant location.
Mid-December
Awards Ceremony
The 3 winners selected in the final selection will receive prizes.
Prizes for Winners
- Participation in the next year’s incubation program
- Opportunity to showcase their work at the next year’s awards ceremony
From January, 2026
Join the Lab
The 8 finalists can voluntarily participate in the lab.
The lab, running concurrently with programs from the following year onwards, will serve as a continuous learning platform for them to further develop their ideas.

Angles of Jury

We expect to provide your creation with you own logic and story, with below angles of thinking in depth.

Social Responsibility

Guarantee of transparency

  • Traceability
  • Transparency

Diversity and Inclusion

  • Gender
  • Sizing
  • Inclusive design

Environment

  • Water usage
  • Chemical
  • Carbon usage
  • Energy efficiency
  • zero-waste
  • biodegradability
  • biodiversity

Circular system

  • repair
  • upcycling
  • open-loop recycle
  • closed-loop recycle

Labor

  • Labor's rights
  • Child labor / forced labor

Animal welfare

  • animal abuse
  • breeding environment
Creativity

Creativity

  • original definition of beauty
  • newness
  • originality
  • timelessness

REWARD

By participating in this program, you can gain the following experiences and benefits.

Attending specialized lectures
You can attend special lectures by lecturers who are active at the forefront of the industry.
Technical advice from active lecturers and pattern makers
You can receive practical advice on design and pattern making.
Professional photography of your work
Your work will be photographed in high quality by professional photographers, hair and makeup artists, and models.
Exposure to major media
You will have the opportunity to have your winning works and activities featured in major media both in Japan and overseas.
Feedback from judges and lecturers
You will receive valuable advice from professionals with diverse backgrounds.
Building a network with partner companies
You will be able to expand your connections with supporting companies and industry professionals.
Interaction with like-minded participants both in Japan and overseas
You will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded designers and creators both in Japan and overseas.
Opportunities for exhibition both in Japan and overseas (only for those who qualify)
Selected participants will be provided with the opportunity to present their works at exhibitions and events both in Japan and overseas.
Management support provided (upon request)
Finalists can sign a contract with FFP Artist Management (a management agency run by FFP) if they wish, which will give them management support and access to new production opportunities.
The purpose of this program is not just to win through the award, but also to support the growth and career development of creators. We hope you will join us.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Register your email address using the “ENTRY” form at the bottom of this page.
2. You will receive an email including the application guidelines and the instructions for entry.
Please read them carefully before applying.
3. During the application period (from April 21st to June 1st), submit your application,
which must include the following, from the entry form link in the mail sent in step 2.
– Entry sheet (input on the form)
– Proposal or design drawing (attach a file)
– Past works and achievements (attach a file)
*Please refer to the application documents for detailed file specifications.
*A Gmail account is required for the application. Please create one in advance.
CONTACT: info@ffp-contact.com
Angles of jury

JUDGING COMMITTEE

Juries of wide range of profession considers the compatibility of beauty and social responsibility.
Juries encourages multifaceted discussions on what and how we should evaluate fashion, and considers the true meaning of making clothes while maximizing the joy of fashion.

※Juries will be added going forward.

EXPERT MENTORS

Expert mentors from a variety of fields who support thinking about the future of fashion across disciplines.
We will invite a variety of experts related to creativity and social responsibility as mentors and give lectures that will provide inspiration to the finalists.

Ann McCreath

  • Fashion Designer
  • "Considering Clothing Production from the Clothing Disposal Site"

Hideaki Ogawa

  • Managing Director / Artistic Director, Ars Electronica Futurelab
  • "Fashion from the Perspective of Artistic Journalism"

Kosai Sekine

  • Film Director
  • "The distance between creator and media"

Aya Nagata

  • Office for Mainstreaming Biodiversity, Ministry of the Environment
  • "Fashion and the Environment: The Social Renovation That Design Brings"

Kaori Nakano

  • Fashion Historian / Author
  • "What is Luxury in the New Age?"

Kotaro Watanabe

  • Context Designer at Takram/ Visiting Professor at Tohoku University of Art and Design
  • “Throwing A Ball into the Dark — Parallels between Context Design and Haute Couture”

Yuima Nakazato

  • Fashion Designer
  • "The Concept of Creativity"

Arisa Kamada

  • co-founder of unisteps
  • "The Concept of Social Responsibility"

※Expert mentors will be added going forward.

ARCHIVE

FASHION FRONTIER PROGRAM will share the perspective and process of learning to everyone. FASHION FRONTIER PROGRAM promotes discussion on social responsibility in the fashion industry. We aim to create a future of fashion where creativity and social responsibility co-exists at a high level.
KNOWLEDGE
Information and inspiration about fashion and social responsibility.
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FINALIST
The participants of FASHION FRONTIER PROGRAM.
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply?
First, please register your email address via “ENTRY” at the bottom of this page. Once the application period begins, you can apply through the Google Form link provided in the email you receive upon registration.
What are the requirements to apply?
There are no requirements. Regardless of age or experience, we would be happy to receive applications from anyone who aspires to realize a creation for the new era.
Is there anyone who is not eligible to apply?
Basically, everyone is welcome to apply. However, we would not accept those who are involved with antisocial forces.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. You may have to cover the postage cost, in case you with to send optional documents to us.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes. Please note that you can only make one application for one idea.
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ENTRY

We will send you the application guidelines.
Please enter your email address.

The application period is closed.

PARTNERS

Jury members, mentors, sponsors are in alphabetical order.