China’s Next Fashion Stars Crowned as SFDA Launches New Wave Awards

The SFDA Creative Talent Program has revealed the six finalists of its inaugural New Wave Fashion Awards, marking a significant step in nurturing China’s emerging design talent. Following a three-month period of open submissions and rigorous professional evaluation, the selected designers represent a diverse range of innovative perspectives within the fashion industry.

The finalists are: Sifan Chen (Chen Sifan), Angus Chiang (Angus Chiang), Moto Guo (Moto Guo and Kinder Huang), 8ON8 (Li Gong), Mayali (Maya Li), and Feng Chen Wang (Feng Chen Wang). These designers were chosen not solely on the strength of their collections, but on their demonstrated ability to encompass a holistic brand vision – encompassing product design, aesthetic sensibility, compelling storytelling, and robust brand architecture.

Unlike conventional fashion awards that primarily assess runway presentations, the New Wave Fashion Awards is structured as a long-term talent incubation program. It aims to identify and cultivate designers capable of functioning as modern creative directors, equipped with the multifaceted skills required to lead a brand in today’s dynamic market. This approach emphasizes a broader skillset beyond purely aesthetic considerations.

Madame LV, EVP of SFDA and secretary-general of the Shanghai Fashion Week Organizing Committee, emphasized the program’s long-term vision. She stated the initiative was launched to “build a long-term, systematic, and future-oriented training mechanism to help China's new generation of creative talents achieve leaps in continuous practice and move towards a clearer and more internationally-oriented development direction.” This highlights a commitment to fostering globally competitive Chinese design.

The culmination of the New Wave Fashion Awards will take place during AW26 Shanghai Fashion Week in late March. Each of the six finalists will present a comprehensive brand expression, moving beyond traditional runway shows to create immersive spatial experiences that fully realize their concepts. These presentations will serve as the basis for final evaluation.

A jury comprised of international fashion authorities – including representatives from global fashion media, retail operations, and brand management – alongside public input, will assess the finalists’ presentations. This diverse judging panel ensures a well-rounded and insightful evaluation process, reflecting the awards’ commitment to identifying truly exceptional and forward-thinking talent.