With "New Shanghai Fashion Lifestyle" as the core concept, the International Shanghai Fashion Season (ISFS) is rooted in Shanghai-style culture, targets internationalization, and integrates scientific technology. ISFS is building a platform including four modules: Shanghai Style release, Shanghai Style forum, international folk custom, and scientific innovation pioneers, thereby promoting exchanges between Shanghai-style culture and international folk traditions, setting fashion benchmarks, and driving the growth of the fashion industry.
The 4th International Folk Gifts Innovative Design Contest takes "数Algorithm" as its theme. It encourages students currently enrolled in Chinese universities to explore and interpret folk elements from all over the world. Participants are encouraged to showcase the fashion essences of various folk customs from different countries and regions through their designs. Together, let’s collaborate to construct a beautiful future that is more inclusive, sustainable, and intelligent.
Organizer: Shanghai Fashion Accessories Society;
Public Welfare Supporter: Shanghai Service Industries Development & Research Foundation;
Undertaker: Shanghai International Fashion Innovation Center of Donghua University; College of Humanities of Donghua University;
Supporter: Asia Socks Inc.; Consinee Group Co., Ltd.; Shanghai Yihu Culture Communication Co., Ltd.
Ⅰ.Theme
The contest theme is “数·Algorithm”. It reflects an era where algorithms are reshaping our world. In this era, “Data(数)” has emerged as the meta-language for deciphering the laws of all things and profoundly restructuring the foundational logic of human cognition and creation. From the geometric genesis of natural forms to the dynamic calibration of design parameters; from the intelligent perception of user behavior to the algorithmic optimization of material structures—the order and logic of “Data” are infusing the fashion industry with an unprecedented rational force. Digital design tools and intelligent technologies have elevated “Data” from an implicit enabler to an explicit language of creativity, giving rise to a novel aesthetic paradigm where reason balances emotion and art converges with technology.
The theme comprises five dimensions: "Digital Evolution, Digital Nature, Digital Healing, Digital Fission, Digital Loop".
Ⅱ.Participants
Chinese students and international students, who are studying in Chinese universities, regardless of the major or grade. For team entries, each team is limited to 3 members, and each participant may join only one team as well as shall not participate in multiple teams.
Ⅲ. Works Requirements
1. Participants should align their work with the contest theme by organically integrating distinctive Chinese and international folk cultural elements into their designs. Contestants may choose from different tracks and select preferred sub-directions, define their own project title, and their works shall have clear usage and gifting scenarios that align closely with current fashion market demands. Both Chinese and international students may enter either track, or participate in both concurrently.
2.The design requirements for all participants:
Track 1: Fashion Folk Gifts Design
Design a series of fashion gifts that includes "1 cap, 1 scarf, 2 T-shirts and 2 pairs of socks" combining Chinese and international folk cultural elements with an emphasis on highlighting Shanghai's urban cultural identity. The cap should primarily feature embroidered or printed patterns; the scarf and T-shirts should utilize digital printing; and the socks, limited to a six-color palette, should be produced using printing or yarn-dyed techniques. All designs should be grounded in the principles of sustainable design to establish a new trend in cultural living. For more details, please refer to “Track 1: Fashion Folk Gifts Design Submission Template”.
Track 2: Smart Wearable Gifts Design
Focusing on thermal heating & temperature control, sports equipment, health monitoring and other categories, this track is dedicated to creative conceptual design of smart wearable products targeting specific user groups and practical application scenarios. Entries must clearly define the target users and applicable scenarios, such as health-tracking wearables for special groups, intelligent protective gear for outdoor sports enthusiasts, and comfort-adjusting products for office settings. Designs are expected to address specific pain points in daily use and demonstrate the innovative value of technology in empowering daily life.
Submissions shall primarily take the form of creative conceptual proposals without physical prototyping. Emphasis should be placed on innovative intelligent functions, wearable comfort experience, visual aesthetics and eco-friendly design philosophy, so as to integrate technology, fashion and practical functions harmoniously. Designs shall adopt proven smart technologies, balance safety, comfort, manufacturability, cost control, and demonstrate viable potential for commercialization.
Contestants may select any theme within the above categories and submit either a single product design or a cohesive product design series.
For more details, please refer to “Track 2: Smart Wearable Gifts Design Submission Template”.
3. All submissions shall be designed in compliance with the specified product categories, quantity limits and technical process requirements of each track.
Participants are encouraged to unleash their imagination, boldly express the creativity, and achieve a fusion of artistry, fashion, technology, and functionality. The goal is to create innovative designs that integrate elements including Chinese and foreign folk customs, Shanghai urban culture, trendy smart technology and more.
IV. The Contest Process
1. Entry Pathways
Contestants shall add the WeChat contact of the respective track coordinator and join the WeChat group established by the Organizing Committee. All subsequent participant guidance, event arrangements, and announcements will be communicated through this WeChat group.
2. Submission Requirements
a-1). Contents: Research on fashion gifts may focus on the most popular and locally distinctive brands in the local area or Shanghai, as well as the most representative folk cultural content, including but not limited to clothing, patterns, architecture, folk handicrafts, local Shanghai brands, urban landmarks, intangible cultural heritage techniques, and symbols of Shanghai-style culture. Design submissions should include the work title, inspiration sources, series design renderings, color scheme, materials, and design descriptions.
a-2). For smart wearable research, contestants may conduct investigations on existing commercial products available in the market, including but not limited to temperature-controlled apparel, health monitoring wearables, sports assistive equipment, flexible electronic wearable products, to understand their functions, technical principles, application scenarios, and user experience. Design submissions should include the work title, inspiration sources, intended intelligent functions, application scenarios, series renderings, color and material concepts, wearable form, and design descriptions.
b). Required Materials: a PowerPoint format (A high-resolution PDF version must be submitted concurrently); along with all the source files (in PSD, AI, or high-resolution PDF format), and at least 4 pieces of design sketches.
c). Specifications: The size of each PowerPoint slide should be A3, and the accuracy of pictures & source files should not be less than 300dpi. Please keep all original design source files, which should include the design rendering and the pattern ichnography, until the end of contest. The file in PDF format should not be less than 300dpi either.
d). Work Template: The Organizing Committee provides the work submission template for each track, which can be downloaded via the website or the contest’s WeChat group.
e). Submission: Please send the email to the official email address. The email subject should be “Name of your university-Your Chinese name-Name of your works”.
3. Submission Deadline
The Submission Deadline is August 31st, 2026
The organizing committee will hold an online guidance activity for the contest in middle August 2026. After completing the design, participants may submit their works. All submissions will be archived electronically and reviewed centrally. The review and shortlist results will be announced progressively. Please stay tuned to the contest’s official website and WeChat account.
4. Shortlist Review: The review and announcement of the shortlist will take place in late September 2026.
5. Production: The Organizing Committee will arrange for the shortlisted works of Track 1 to be sampled from late September to October 2026. All physical samples produced will be used for subsequent fashion shows and exhibitions. In accordance with the Work Copyright Agreement, none of the works will be given to individuals. Entries of Track 2 will not proceed to physical sampling and production; they will only be evaluated based on creativity and concept.
6. Award Evaluation: The final winners will be judged and announced in middle October 2026.
7. Certificate of Participation
Submissions that meet all contest requirements will be recognized as valid entries. All successful participants will receive an official confirmation email and a digital certificate of participation issued by the organizing committee. Among the shortlisted entries of Track 1, works that prominently embody Shanghai urban cultural elements will receive an additional certificate issued by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.
8. All shortlisted entries of Track 1 will be sampled by enterprises and organizations supporting this contest. The design drafts of all shortlisted participants from Track 2 will be put on display. If any design work gain favor from cooperating enterprises, there may be opportunities for its sale on their platforms in the future.
The award ceremony will be held during the World Design Cities Conference 2026 (WDCC2026) in Shanghai. Fashion shows and other promotional activities will be held as part of the International Shanghai Fashion Season (ISFS). A collection album of shortlisted works will be compiled for exhibition to facilitate exchanges of folk culture among countries worldwide.
V. Awards
The contest is divided into two tracks, with the following awards established for each track separately: (Note: All cash prizes are pre-tax amounts.):
Award Title | Quota | Prizes |
Fashion Grand Award | 1 | 10,000 RMB cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate |
Best Creative Award | 3 | 5,000 RMB cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate for each |
Best Design Award | 5 | 3,000 RMB cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate for each |
Cultural Exchange Award | Several | 500 RMB cash prize and a certificate for each |
Excellent Tutor Award | Several | A certificate for each |
Best Organizing Award | Several | A certificate for each |
Ⅵ. Contest Notice for Attention
1. Participants must provide accurate and valid information. If false materials are provided, the participant's eligibility will be revoked.
2. All entries must be original, unpublished works created solely for this contest, and must not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights or other legal rights. Additionally, any data used for pre-training or optimization of generative artificial intelligence products must be free from intellectual property violations. Any violation of these terms will result in disqualification, and the participant shall bear full legal responsibility for any consequences arising therefrom.
3. The organizers and the associated organizations reserve the right to use all submitted works and participants' images for promotional or commercial purposes for free. For awarded-winning works (including Fashion Grand Award, Best Creative Award, Best Design Award, and Cultural Exchange Award), the organizers and the associated organizations will pay the corresponding prizes and meanwhile retain all intellectual property rights.Participants only have the right of authorship and not allowed to provide the submitted work to any other third party or use it on their own in any way.
4. The final interpretation right of the contest belongs to the organizers.
Ⅶ. Contact Information
Organizing Committee of the 4th ISFS Award International Folk Gifts Innovative Design Contest
For international students entries, please contact:
Contact: Ms. Gao
Email: lxscontest@126.com
WeChat QR Code:
Submission Template：
赛道1作品提交模板 Track 1 Submission Template.pptx
赛道2作品提交模板 Track 2 Submission Template.pptx
