calling all creatives: entries for the 2025 australian wearable art festival are open
There's $15,000 up for grabs and you'll be judged by craft queen Rachel Burke.
If you’re an artist, designer or crafter, then this rad event is for you – the Australian Wearable Art Festival (AWAF) is back for another year. Creatives from around the globe are invited to apply for the ground-breaking festival, which will take over the Sunshine Coast on August 8th and 9th, 2025.
After four years, AWAF is upping the ante, according to its co-founder and curator Wendy Roe. “With an expanded prize pool of $15,000 and our Supreme Winner walking away with $5,000, the festival in 2025 will offer artists even more incentives to participate,” she says.
“This year also introduces two brand-new categories – 'elements of nature' and 'abstract form' – alongside popular returning categories, 'trashion' and 'avant garde'. Additional awards will recognise textile innovation and sustainability, encouraging creators to explore bold and eco-friendly designs.”
If that doesn’t entice you, then here are a few more reasons to take part: next year, participants will have access to enhanced lighting options on the festival’s 27-metre-runway, and there’ll be heaps of super-valuable opportunities for participants following the event, including a touring gallery exhibition, A Wearable Canvas.
Plus, frankie friend Rachel Burke (aka @imakestagram) will be joining AWAF as a judge. “I’m excited to see artists embrace bold textures, eco-friendly approaches and conceptual silhouettes that push the boundaries,” Rachel says. “Wearable art isn’t just about fashion, it’s about storytelling. Every piece has the power to communicate an emotion, concept or message, and that’s what makes it so exciting to me!”
Entries close at 5pm on January 31st, but applicants have until July to complete their final pieces. Don’t feel like entering but still want to see the show? Tickets go on sale on December 4th (including VIP and more affordable preview performance options).
Head this-a-way for submission guidelines, category details and application forms. Good luck!