Alemais, Beare Park, Blanca Studio, Clea, E Nolan and Joslin will compete next month for the National Designer Award, presented by David Jones.
The award, part of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival program, is in its 26th year.
It celebrates the future of Australian fashion by acknowledging designers in their formative years of business, providing finalists with opportunities for mentorship, networking, and critical industry exposure.
This year, Australia’s emerging fashion designers will have the chance to win a record-high prize pool of $130,000.
The six finalists are Alemais, Beare Park, Blanca Studio, Clea, E Nolan and Joslin.
The winner of the National Designer Award will be announced at an industry event on July 27 at the new Level 3, David Jones Bourke Street.
For the first time in the award’s history, the public will also have the opportunity to vote for a selected finalist to win the People’s Choice Award.
For the fourth year in a row, the Festival and David Jones will award the Honourable Mention for Sustainability.
The recipient receives a $10,000 cash prize as well as the opportunity to undertake a bespoke mentorship program led by the sustainability team at David Jones.
This year’s judging panel included Graeme Lewsey, Jury Chair, Chris Wilson, General Manager of Menswear at David Jones, Bridget Veals, General Manager of Womenswear at David Jones, Philippa Moroney, Senior Fashion Editor & Market Director, Vogue Australia, Eloise Bishop, Head of Sustainability, David Jones and Jillian Davison, Editor in Chief, Harper’s BAZAAR.