1.1            The Sydney Wearable Art Gala (SWAG) is open to all Australian Residents.

1.2            The entrant(s) must submit their own original wearable art design in their own name, regardless of the number of individuals involved in creating the entry.

1.3            Entrants must complete their application online through the SWA Website and upload all evidence requested in the specified format (See 2.3 for details).

1.4            For group entries, the application must be submitted under the names of the entrants, with a maximum of three (3) credited entrants.

1.5            Entrants may submit entries across any of the six categories; however,only one wearable art creation may be submitted per category.

1.6            All entrants must be over 16 years of age at the time of the application.

1.7            All entrants under the age of 18 at the time of application must have their parent, or guardian signature on the entry form.

1.8            Entrants can design a wearable art creation for more than one wearer, but no more than three. (For example, where the piece requires up to three wearers/manipulators, or where there are up to three components that present together.)

1.9            Entrants may agree to wear their own wearable art, or provide a model(s) aged 16 years or over. Models do not have to be named at the time of your entry, but successful entrants must confirm and register the name of their model(s) at least one month prior to the Gala.

1.10         In 2026, entrants are not required to pay an entry fee to submit to SWAG. However, if your application is successful, you will be required to pay an administration fee of $50. This will require enrolment in the ‘Sydney Wearable Art Experience’ through the TAFE NSW website.

1.11         All successful participants in the Gala and their models are required to pay the fee.

1.12         Entrants between the age of 16 and 20 years of age are eligible for the Young Achiever Award in each category.

1.13         Entrants must have completed their wearable art piece(s) within 12 months before the closing date for submissions  to the SWAG event.

1.14         Entrants may enter wearable art that has been previously shown at another event within the past 12 months. Creations that have been entered to other wearable art competitions may be submitted to SWAG. If, however,  your design has previously won any awards you must disclose this at the time of entry. Please note that wearable art that has won awards in other competitions will not be eligible for the Grand Swagger award.

2.1            The entry application must be completed in English.

2.2            Include a short description (up to 50 words) about your wearable art. This text will be used in the SWAG showbook alongside an image of your creation and may be paraphrased.

2.3            In order for your application to be accurately reviewed you are required to include the following:

·       3 x full length, colour, still photographic images, showing front, back and side, showing your wearable art exactly as it will appear at the Gala on the model, with makeup, hair and props.

·       Photos must be clear, well lit, in focus and taken against a white background.

·       These photos will potentially be used in the SWAG show book, so they must be clear and high quality.

·       Examples of images will be available on the SWA website.

2.4            The display of existing trademarks, logos or brands on any entry is not permitted.

2.5            TAFE staff associated with this event, working at either the Design Centre Enmore, or Fashion and Manufacturing sections at the TAFE NSW Ultimo Campus,  or staff that have any part in the delivery of the Sydney Wearable Art Teaching Programs (SWAT) or any branch of TAFE NSW, are not eligible to enter or judicate the Gala.

2.6            Wearable art pieces must adhere to the category themes of the Wearable Art Gala.

2.7            Written and visual materials supplied during the submission process may be used for promotional purposes for SWAG, including the Gala showbook.

2.8            The SWAG Creative Director reserves the right to move an entry from one category to another for the purposes of show.

3.1            Entries must be well constructed and finished with durable fastenings to withstand multiple showings.

3.2            Props may be used as an extension of your wearable art - but the use of “realistic looking military style weapons– i.e. machine guns, hand guns and/or automatic weapons, are not permitted in show.

3.3            ‘Science Fiction/Comic’ inspired ray guns  may be allowed at the discretion of the Creative Director.

3.4            Props that are historically inspired weapons, (other than guns), may be allowed at the discretion of the Creative Director.

3.5            No live animals may be used as part of your wearable art, or its performance.

3.6            The wearable art must be safe for the wearer and the audience.

3.7            The wearable art must not restrict the vision or breathing of the wearer/s, and be appropriately ventilated under stage lighting.

3.8            Entrants must ensure the that the wearable art is not too heavy with a well-balanced weight distribution across the body, head and shoulders.

3.9            Covered footwear must be worn on stage and backstage at all times.

3.10 Wearable art may not include stilts, roller skates, roller blades or motorized wheels. Any exceptions will be at the discretion of the Creative Director.

3.11         Any onboard electrical wiring that is part of your wearable art performance should not exceed 12 volts.

3.12         Do not use potential biohazards like raw or processed/cured meats, food, plant or animal products likely to spoil.  Dried flowers, scales, feathers and treated skins are accepted, but it will be the responsibility of the entrant to prevent any onstage hazards.

3.13         Do not use potentially dangerous materials that have sharp edges, like glass, mirror, metal and pointed objects that could hurt the wearer, backstage crew, other contestants or the audience.

3.14         SWAG reserves the right to adjust or disqualify wearable art that is deemed dangerous to the wearer and/or audience.

3.15         Disqualification for any reason is at the discretion of the Creative Director. All decisions are final and no negotiation will be entered into.

3.16         Costs incurred are solely the responsibility of the participant and will not be recouped by SWAG or TAFE NSW. This includes costs related to travel, damage or disqualification.

4.1            Successful participants must be available to deliver and show their wearable art on themselves (or their designated model) at the following times:

·       Monday 23rd November 2026 - 9am - 5pm – Deliver wearable art to the Design Centre Enmore for registration, WHS Induction, model fitting and preliminary rehearsals.

·       Tuesday 24th November 2026- 9am -5pm - Dress rehearsal at Enmore Theatre.

·       Wednesday 25th November 2026 - 10am -9pm - Final dress/technical rehearsal and  evening performance.

·       Thursday 26th November 2026 – 2pm-10pm – Final evening competition [LP1]

Note: These times are correct at time of writing, but will be confirmed before entries close in October.

4.2            The entrant must deliver their wearable art on registration, fitting, and WHS induction day, Monday 23rd November 2026, to Design Centre Enmore, and to subsequent rehearsal and performance days exactly as it was photographed for the stage 1 judging. Entrants must not alter their wearable art in any way after stage 1 judging.

4.3            The entrant will provide the wearable art and all accessories including viewable undergarments, stockings, hose and footwear. The entrant will also be responsible for the removal of their own wearable art from the Enmore Theatre by 10pm Thursday 26th November 2026, after the final performance.

4.4            The entrant will provide their own hair, makeup, props and accessories for their wearable art at each performance.

4.5            In the case of a model/s with different abilities, SWA will wherever possible work with the Theatre to accommodate their needs e.g. wheel chair accessibility. Requirements must be outlined in your original submission and requests for accessibility must be given to whom? with adequate notice.

4.6            The entrant will provide their own dressing aids as necessary for each and every performance. e.g. lubricant for latex, or powder for rubber.

4.7            The entrant will provide appropriate materials, skill and knowledge to repair, adjust or reinforce their wearable are creation as necessary.

4.8            This is an all ages event, and nudity is not permitted in show.

4.9            To facilitate ease of access and exit on and off stage, the wearable art should not exceed three (3) metres in height, and 1.5 metres in width, however it may expand on stage to three (3) metres wide, and retract for exit.

5.1            All Applicants agree to abide by the decisions of the judges and no further communication can be entered into after the judging process or the allocation of prizes.

 5.2            Entrants are encouraged to promote the SWAG Event, by showing their work and creative process on social media, in print or any press media, but should refrain from completely exposing their SWAG entry ‘in full’ prior to event. Limited exposure, progress reports and teasers (but NOT full disclosure) of your creation is acceptable with hashtag #sydneywearableart.

5.3            The entrant assigns Sydney Wearable Art( SWA ) and TAFE NSW a perpetual, irrevocable right to photograph, film and digitally record their wearable art for the purposes of archiving, advertising, promoting, merchandising (on all print formats) filming and broadcasting (on all media formats) including the SWA website and social media including its online Website Gallery.

5.4            Wherever possible SWA and TAFE NSW agree to acknowledge the entrant as the designer of the Wearable Art.

5.5            The entrant grants SWA and TAFE NSW worldwide, royalty free, perpetual, transferable licence to use any images of their creation on any platform at no cost.

5.6            All entries must be the entrants own original work and free of copyright and must not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party.

5.7            SWA and TAFE NSW reserves the right to disqualify any entrant and their Wearable Art, that arises from a breach of copyright, revoke any prizes, and demand reimbursement for damages, expenses and loss suffered as a result.

5.8            SWA and TAFE NSW in 2026 will allocate non acquisitional Prize Packages (contents to be released) to the best entry/entries, with an additional prize package for the Young Achiever Award in in each of the six categories.

5.9            SWA reserves the right to holdover winning and selected wearable art creations for public exhibition for up to four months after the Sydney Wearable Art Gala (SWAG) event.

5.10         If required for public exhibition, works will be available for pickup from the Design Centre Enmore after the public exhibition concludes. Exhibitors will be notified by email.

5.11         SWA and TAFE NSW agree to hold all personal information it collects on the entrant in accordance with TAFE NSW Privacy Policy protocols which can be viewed HERE.

5.12         All entrants, models and participants must adhere to the TAFE NSW code of conduct, which can be viewed HERE.

5.12         SWA and TAFE NSW may retain and use entrants personal Information for the following reasons:

1.     Archival purposes, for the maintenance of records.

2.     To provide entrants with ongoing information on future events as a member of the SWA alumni.

3.     To promote SWAG, the entrant, and their Wearable Art, by linking them with the media via their email or mobile number.