Fashion Quarterly is thrilled to announce the return of the FQ Fashion Awards in 2026 with a renewed sense of purpose and a more elevated vision. Set to take place in mid-July, this year’s red carpet event is back to celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of the best in Aotearoa’s fashion industry.
With a mission to support the diverse talents within the fashion industry, the FQ Fashion Awards serves as a platform to recognise creativity, innovation, and excellence across various categories. From groundbreaking fashion collections to captivating visual storytelling, the awards aim to showcase the best and brightest talents shaping the future of New Zealand fashion.
“After two incredible years we know exactly what this night is about: celebrating the creative minds who make our fashion industry what it is,” says Sarah Murray, Editor-in-Chief and owner of Fashion Quarterly. We’ve kept the same experienced judging panel and the same categories that sparked so much excitement, building on what works. These awards exist for the designers, makers and visionaries – and this year, we’re celebrating them louder than ever.”
One of the key highlights of the FQ Fashion Awards is its inclusive approach which extends beyond fashion designers to honour the entire fashion ecosystem. For this year’s event, we’ve extended the reach of both the Lifetime Achievement Award and Rising Star Award to include all creatives and brands in the fashion industry. See a full list of award categories below.
Have your say in the 2026 FQ Fashion Awards
Nominations are now open across 21 categories, judged by a panel of esteemed industry experts. Whether you’re a fashion professional or an engaged observer, we invite you to submit your nominations for either yourself or someone you admire and help us spotlight the creativity, craft and contribution driving our industry forward. You can submit your answers in either bullet point format or short paragraphs — whatever best showcases your nominee. Nominations close Monday June 15th.
Click here to nominate.
Award categories
Fashion & Design
- Designer of the Year
- Footwear Designer of the Year
- Jewellery Designer of the Year
- Bag Designer of the Year
- Best Contribution to Māori Fashion
- Best Contribution to Pacific Fashion
- Sustainability Initiative of the Year
- Fashion Retailer of the Year
- Emerging Designer of the Year (under 5 years experience in the fashion industry)
- Lifetime Achievement Award (open to any creatives/brands in the fashion industry)
Creative Direction
- Stylist of the Year
- Photographer of the Year
- Model of the Year
- Videographer of the Year
- Hair Stylist of the Year
- Make-up Artist of the Year
- Rising Star Award (open to any upcoming creatives with under 5 years in the fashion industry)
- The Visionary Vanguard (producers, art directors, graphic designers, web designers, creative directors, assistants and post-production)
Fashion Media & Communications
- Fashion Writer of the Year
- Fashion PR person of the Year
- Content Creator of the Year
