Runway Designer Application

Starting in 2024, all apparel designers will be using the same application regardless of you interest in specific cities or seasons.

All apparel designers — regardless of brand size or experience — are encouraged to apply to show during Fashion X events in Texas. All designer applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis by the AFW Advisory Council.

Designers may choose to show anywhere between 3 and 20+ looks, so it doesn’t matter how small or big you are. Just use the opportunity to show us what you’ve got!

EVENT CONCEPT & SETUP

Each Fashion X event takes on the flavor of the local market so each is setup slightly differently but generally follow a similar pattern. Our focus has been and always will be on emerging designers interested in launching or growing a brand for the Texas audience. We do this through group runway shows and pop up shops to highly engaged audiences in order to help keep costs down for the designer or label.

AUSTIN: Austin Fashion Week will have 2 major events in 2024 — Spring and Fall. Austin will feature night shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and day shows on Saturday each season (total of 5 ticketed events). Each show will feature 8-12 apparel designers. Attendance for each show will be in the 500-800 attendee range.

Austin Fashion Week Spring: April 18-20, 2024 at The Domain

Austin Fashion Week Fall: TBD

DALLAS: Fashion X Dallas will come back this Fall. Four ticketed shows on Friday night, two Saturday afternoon shows and a Saturday night show will be featured.

Fashion X Dallas: November 1-2, 2024 on the The Great Lawn at The Village Dallas

HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, FORT WORTH: Each of these cities MAY launch Fall 2024 or sometime in 2025. We are leaving these cities as options on the application with no guarantee that we will accept any designers until events are finalized.

WE ARE ONLY SEEKING APPAREL DESIGNERS. If you are a jewelry or accessories designer interested in participating please view the participation section on “Pop Up Shops.”

APPLICATION PROCESS & DEADLINES

Applications to participate in Fashion X Texas events are due approximately one month prior to each event or until an event has sold out. Specific event deadlines are posted below as available. We highly encourage you to apply early as spots may fill before the application deadline. All applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once an application is received, the Fashion X Advisory Council will review the application and provide each brand with a yes, no or waitlist answer. Those that receive a yes answer will be placed under contract and billed for participation. All fees are due no later than 3 weeks prior to each show. Payment plans are available. NOT ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE CURATED TO SHOW.

Austin Fashion Week Spring Runway Designer Application Deadline: March 15, 2024

Fashion X Dallas Fall Runway Designer Application Deadline: September 27, 2024

Austin Fashion Week Fall Runway Designer Application Deadline: TBD

DIVERSITY AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Fashion X is committed to having the most diverse series of shows possible. In order to ensure diversity, we work with partners to sometimes offer partial and full scholarships to participate as a runway designer. If you are in need of a scholarship, please include that information on your application. Anyone seeking scholarship assistance will be asked to complete a short scholarship application.

PARTICIPATION FEES

Upon approval by the Advisory Council, you will be sent a contract. Once under contract, you may not be released for any reason and you will be billed for any participation fees due. The fee may be split into multiple payments but final fees are due no later than 3 weeks prior to shows.

You may choose any of the following options on a PER CITY PER SEASON basis:

  • 3 Looks: $300
  • 4-7 Looks: $500
  • 8-11 Looks: $750
  • 12-15 Looks: $1000
  • 16-20 Looks: $1500
  • More than 20 Looks: Please inquire

Discounts are offered to designers that contract to participate in multiple events throughout the same calendar year. 10% discounts are offered for 2 events and 20% discounts are offered for 3+ events in the same year. 

FEES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

  • Professional, inclusive models cast by Fashion X. If you would like to provide your own models, that option is available, HOWEVER, participation fees do not change and the designer will need to handle all models’ hair and makeup needs on their own. The Fashion X hair and makeup team will not be available to you if you bring your own outside models.
  • Professional hair and makeup for your model lineup (if you are providing your own models, you must also provide hair and makeup)
  • Complete back of house production including dressers, runners, and more
  • End of runway images with promotional rights for each look you show
  • Profile page with links to your site and social media on the event-specific website.
  • 2 premium seated tickets for your show for guests. Other guests may purchase tickets. To keep costs down for designers, we do not offer discount codes for additional tickets.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 

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