About ITS Contest

ITS Contest 2026 - Rise and Shine

"The ITS Contest 2026 Jury welcomes fashion commentator Hanan Besovic (@ideservecouture), the return of iconic Japanese fashion critic Take Hirakawa after 22 years (he attended the first two editions), and Stylist and Global Fashion Director of 10 Magazine Karen Binns. Guests of the ITS Contest Finals preview a unique exhibition at ITS Arcademy dedicated to the art of styling, EXPOSURE - The Power of Being Seen, from Harry Styles to Lady Gaga, curated by Tom Eerebout. "

ITS Contest 2024 - Born to Create

ITS Contest 2024 is one of the world’s leading platforms for emerging creative talent in fashion, accessories and jewellery design.

The ITS Contest 2024 concept is “Born to Create” and it echoes the philosophy underlying ITS Arcademy as well: not only the finalists were born to create, but everyone. We all have a spark inside that can be rekindled. The contest jury sees stylist Tom Eeerebout, the return of FIT Museum director Valerie Steele, and creative director of Ann Demeulemeester Stefano Gallici. The edition also radically changes format with the introduction of ITS Residency, a ground-breaking concept: finalists experience 5 days of workshops, mentorships and one-to-one meetings with jury members and insiders.

ITS Contest 2021 – Building the Ark

“Building the Ark” is the concept for ITS Contest 2021: it symbolises the journey undertaken in 2019 to build ITS Arcademy - Museum of Art in Fashion. Fueled by its heart, an archive collection of 15,000 portfolio, over 1300 fashion items, 190 accessories, 120 jewelry pieces and 700+ digital photography projects, ITS Arcademy represents the future of ITS. Still under the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is a mix of physical - with a presentation of the museum spaces - and digital - with an event entirely streamed live, mixing the contest results with an introduction to what ITS Arcademy will be. 2021 also features a web-series involving 3 former finalists developing one-of-a-kind art pieces for ITS Arcademy.

ITS Contest 2019 – Sincerely True

The ITS Contest 2019 Jury welcomes Miren Arzalluz - Director of the Palais Galliera, City of Paris Museum of Fashion, Stefania Ricci - Director of Museo Salvatore Ferragamo and Fondazione Ferragamo, Raffaello Napoleone - Chief Executive Officer of Pitti Immagine and Glenn Martens - Creative Director of Y/Project. This year also marks the presentation of ITS Arcademy - Museum of Art in Fashion: 1,800 square mt in the center of Trieste, to be opened to the public in April 2023.

ITS Contest 2016 – Utopia

ITS Contest 2016 welcomes in the jury Demna Gvasalia, founder of the groundbreaking brand “Vetements”, together with his stylist and muse Lotta Volkova. The jury also sees Valerie Steele, director of the FIT Museum, and Silvia Fendi. The concept of the edition, “Utopia”, drives a parallel between the boundless creativity of the young designers and utopian worlds of possibilities. Helen Kirkum, who will later revolutionise the field of sustainable sneaker design, is among the finalists.

ITS Contest 2014 – Lucid Dreams

Among the ITS Contest 2014 jurors are Consuelo Castiglioni (MARNI), photographer Nick Knight, footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood and popstar Mika (for the newly launched ITS ARTWORK contest). The event sees an unprecedented success on social networks, becoming the 9th global trending topic on July 12th 2014, the final evening of the event. It receives features by CNN and France 2. The concept defining the edition is "Lucid Dreams", carrying contestants and guests into the surreal world of dreams rubbing shoulders with reality.

ITS 2012 – Good or Evil

ITS Contest 2012 sees legendary performance artist Marina Abramovic join the fashion jury together with Renzo Rosso and blogger Susie Bubble. Two past finalists now renowned with their own brands, Aitor Throup and Mark Fast, are in the jury too. The concept underlying the aesthetics of this edition which plays with extremes, is “Good or Evil”.

ITS #NINE

ITS#NINE welcomes Viktor&Rolf (at their first participation) and Nina Nitsche from Maison Martin Margiela among the jurors. Accessories Collection of the Year Sarah Williams will later join forces with fellow accessories finalist Kirsty Ward for an exclusive line of bespoke accessories. The edition is marked by a steampunk concept which characterises the entire setup and communication.

ITS #SEVEN

ITS#SEVEN reveals Mark Fast’s incredible knitwear, while photography finalist Mashid Mohadjerin wins the World Press Photo with a reportage shot taken immediately after ITS, of refugees off the Adriatic Coast. Designer Gareth Pugh and photographer Sarah Moon are on the jury.

ITS #FIVE

ITS#FIVE marks the launch of the new contest field ITS ACCESSORIES. Aitor Throup stuns the jury and press, a one-of-a-kind talent with a one-of-a-kind creative process. Matthieu Blazy wins the award by Maria Luisa Poumaillou. Franca Sozzani, Raf Simons and Cathy Horyn are on the jury.

ITS #THREE

"Yoshikazu Yamagata is among the ITS#THREE fashion winners. He will later establish a school in Tokyo, Coconogacco, and educate a future fashion winner, Takashi Nishiyama. Peter Pilotto is among the finalists. In the following years he will establish the celebrated Peter Pilotto brand with another ITS Contest finalist, Christopher de Vos. Raf Simons is in the Jury together with Richard Buckley, Hilary Alexander and Ennio Capasa."

ITS #ONE

The first edition of International Talent Supports ITS#ONE welcomes in the jury among others Isabella Blow, Nylon Magazine Editor-in-Chief Marvin Jarrett, i-D Editor & Director Terry Jones and Editorial & Creative Director of Black Book Magazine Evan L. Schindler.