The future of fashion is taking shape in Geelong, and it’s bold, beautiful, and deeply sustainable.
The City of Greater Geelong’s National Wool Museum has officially announced the 20 finalists for the highly anticipated We the Makers Sustainable Fashion Prize 2025, casting a global spotlight on the next generation of designers who are transforming how we think about clothes, craft, and conscious creativity.
Two major prizes are on offer:
- National Wool Museum Designer of the Year Award – A $10,000 prize, along with the acquisition of the winning garment into the Museum’s permanent collection.
- UNESCO City of Design People’s Choice Award – A $2000 prize, with public voting open to all exhibition visitors. The winner will be announced during Geelong Design Week 2025.
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Selected from over 150 entries spanning 13 countries—including every Australian state and territory—this year’s finalists showcase a dazzling array of innovative techniques and radical ideas.
From Europe and the UK to Asia, the US, and across Australia, entrants embraced natural dyes, slow fashion methodologies, and upcycled materials to reimagine what sustainable fashion looks like in 2025 and beyond. These designers are not just making garments—they’re making statements, challenging the fast fashion status quo with every stitch.
Their groundbreaking designs will be on display at the National Wool Museum from 14 June to 30 November 2025. The showcase will open with a special awards event on Friday 13 June, where the winners will be revealed.
The finalists’ work will be judged by a prestigious panel of international leaders in fashion and sustainability, ensuring the winners reflect global standards of ethical design and forward-thinking innovation. At the same time, the public will have a say in shaping fashion’s future through the People’s Choice Award.
Held biennially, We the Makers has become a cornerstone event in Geelong’s cultural calendar and a proud expression of its status as a UNESCO City of Design. By spotlighting emerging designers with fewer than 10 years of industry experience, the competition offers a vital platform for rising talent and a powerful message: the future of fashion is in good hands—and it’s sustainable.
For more information and to plan your visit, head here.
