17 April 2025
LINIFICIO
17 April 2025
For over thirty years, Mittelmoda – The Fashion Award has been an international benchmark for young talents in fashion design. Established in Italy in 1993, it was the first competition dedicated to fashion students at an international level and one of the earliest in Europe. Today, Mittelmoda continues to grow, solidifying its role as a launchpad for emerging designers and a privileged observatory for future trends in the fashion industry.
Throughout its 31 editions, Mittelmoda has welcomed more than 15,000 young designers from over 60 countries, selecting over 700 finalists and awarding creative excellence with an annual prize pool exceeding €25,000.
The network of participating schools and institutions is equally impressive, with more than 600 fashion design institutes regularly involved, making it a truly global showcase for talent.
The 2024 edition recorded extraordinary results: 536 participants, marking a 19.38% growth compared to the previous year, representing 56 nations (a 27.27% increase).
Italy remains the country with the highest participation (43.47%), followed by Israel (7.28%), France (4.66%), the United Kingdom (4.29%), and Ireland (2.99%).
These figures demonstrate how Mittelmoda continues to attract young creatives from every corner of the globe.
What makes Mittelmoda truly special is its non-profit nature and its commitment to celebrating creativity without commercial purposes. The competition rewards not only aesthetics but also technical innovation, sustainability, and the ability to address contemporary challenges in fashion. Mittelmoda was among the first to explore themes such as circular economy and sustainability within the production chain.
A jury of industry experts evaluates submissions based on strict criteria: creativity, technical quality, precision in execution, and alignment with the values of the respective awards. Prizes range from absolute awards for innovation and creativity (up to €10,000) to special and sector-specific awards dedicated to menswear, womenswear, accessories, innovative materials, and sustainability.
Mittelmoda is not just a competition but a true community that connects major Italian fashion institutions—a genuine springboard for future careers. Thanks to the support of the Fondazione del Tessile Italiano, Confindustria Moda – Sistema Moda Italia, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, and prestigious partners such as MICAM Milano, MIPEL, LineaPelle, and Milano Unica, the competition offers participants a unique opportunity to connect with leading companies in the industry.
The 2025 edition promises to be even richer and more exciting.
In addition to the traditional final runway show in Milan scheduled for October 15-16, 2025, winners will also take part in a special event on November 6-7, 2025, in Gorizia as part of GO!2025 – European Capital of Culture.
For more details on how to participate or discover the prizes at stake, visit www.mittelmoda.com.
