The 2026 ApparelMagic Awards
Great work deserves a bigger spotlight
We celebrate the clients and partners doing work worth recognizing across fashion. Know a business that stands out? Nominate them and help us celebrate their achievements.
About the APPARELMAGIC Awards
Recognizing the stories behind the work that stands out
The ApparelMagic Awards are an annual recognition program celebrating clients and partners doing standout work across the fashion industry. Each year, we highlight the progress they’ve made, the ideas they’ve brought to life, and the stories behind their brands.
From a collection that stood out, a breakthrough year, a smarter way of working, or an initiative that made a difference, nominations give us a chance to celebrate the achievements that made this year worth remembering.
How to Participate
Put great work forward
Put your own business forward or nominate a brand or partner you think deserves recognition.
Nominate your Business
Share what your business accomplished this year, the story behind it, and why it deserves to be recognized.
Nominate another's Business
Know a business that deserves recognition? Tell us who they are, what they’ve done, and why they stand out.
The Countdown
Submissions Window is Now Open
The submissions window closes December 15th.
2026 Prize Packages
benefits for Winners
We’re excited to recognize clients, partners and leading fashion brands who are going above and beyond with their businesses.
We are offering a new set of prize package items this year, including exclusive benefits for the 2027 ApparelMagic Summit – which is March 3-5 in West Palm Beach, Florida, March 3-5.
For Client Brands
Professional Services Hours: Three (3) hours of personalized training, workflow improvements, or consultation aligned with your brand’s priorities.
ApparelMagic Intelligence: Complimentary ApparelMagic Intelligence access for three (3) months.
Featured Video & Case Study: A professionally produced interview showcasing your brand, team, and award-winning achievement.
Brand Spotlight & Promotion: A written website feature, dedicated social media posts, and a newsletter profile celebrating your business.
Additional benefit for the two ApparelMagic Intelligence Awards winners
- ApparelMagic Summit 2027: Two complimentary nights at The Ben West Palm Beach (March 3-5, 2027) to attend the AM Summit.
For Partners
- Co-Marketing Funds: Up to $2,000 in matching funds for joint activations in 2027
Marketing Package
Joint client case study
Dedicated newsletter feature
Social media feature
ApparelMagic Summit 2027 Benefits: Preferred sponsorship pricing, recognition in Summit promotions and at the event, and a speaking opportunity subject to program fit.
Exclusive Mutual Client Offer: A special ApparelMagic discount or service credit for eligible shared clients.
Award Categories
The 2026 ApparelMagic Awards Categories
From standout design and meaningful growth to AI innovation and exceptional partnerships, the 2026 ApparelMagic Awards celebrate the businesses moving fashion forward. Explore this year’s categories, then put your business forward or nominate a brand or partner whose work deserves the spotlight.
Designer of the Year
A creative vision worth recognizing. Celebrate the collection, craftsmanship, or design perspective that sets your brand apart. Show us what you created, what inspired it, and how you brought that vision to life.
Growth Award
A milestone worth celebrating. A new market. A stronger sales channel. A breakthrough year. Show us how your business grew, the decisions that made it possible, and the systems that helped your team deliver.
Rising Brand of the Year *NEW*
New energy. Real momentum. Building a brand takes conviction - and a lot of work. Share how your emerging business is finding its audience, establishing its identity, and turning ambition into progress.
Women-Founded Brand of the Year
Recognizing women building what comes next. Celebrate a women-founded brand making its mark on fashion. Tell us how its founders’ vision and leadership shape the business, inspire its team, and drive its achievements.
Technology Partner of the Year
Connected technology. Meaningful results. Celebrate an ApparelMagic technology partner helping fashion businesses work smarter. Show us how the solution or integration connects systems, simplifies operations, and creates new opportunities for the brands you support.
Agency Partner of the Year
Expert guidance. Exceptional execution. Celebrate an ApparelMagic agency partner helping fashion brands turn ambition into achievement. Share how your strategy, creativity, and hands-on expertise helped clients overcome challenges, improve their businesses, and grow.
AM Intelligence Business Impact Award *NEW*
Put intelligence to work. Show us what changed. Have you used AI to simplify a process, uncover an opportunity, or help your team make better decisions? Share the challenge, your approach, and the results that made a difference.
AM Intelligence Creative Innovation Award *NEW*
Human vision. New creative possibilities. Celebrate a thoughtful application of AI in design, product development, merchandising, or brand storytelling. Show us how your team guided the technology to create something distinctive and valuable.
2026 Awards Schedule
ApparelMagic Awards Calendar
October 14
Nominations Open
Submissions and nominations officially open for the 2026 ApparelMagic Awards. Put your own business forward or recognize a brand or partner doing work worth celebrating.
December 15
Nominations Close
The nomination window closes on December 15. Make sure your submission or nomination is in before the deadline to be considered for the 2026 Awards.
January 12
Finalists Announced
The finalists are revealed across this year’s award categories, highlighting the businesses and stories that stood out during the review process.
January 28
Winners Announced
The 2026 ApparelMagic Award winners are announced, celebrating the clients and partners whose achievements earned this year’s recognition.
Past Winners
Learn the stories of our past winners
Every winner has a story: a defining collection, a bold next step, a challenge overcome. Explore past winners and discover the achievements that earned them an ApparelMagic Award.
2025
Startup of the Year: Ellie Arbee
Woman-Owned Business of the Year: Montce
Designers of the Year: Bather and Lucian Matis
Bather Website | Lucian Matis Website
Growth Awards: Paperplanes and Sergio Tacchini
Paperplanes Website | Sergio Tacchini Website
Partner of the Year: Brand Elevate
2024
Designer of the Year: Triarchy
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Startup of the Year: Kanine Pets World
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Growth Award: Jack and Sage
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Most Community Impact of the Year: Ash and Eden by Be You Be One
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Fashion Tech Innovator of the Year: Pando Moto
2023
Designer of the Year: Swannies Golf Apparel
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Startup of the Year: Gameday Social
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Growth Award: Bridge & Burn
2022
Designer of the Year: Frankies Bikinis
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Startup of the Year: Hype And Vice
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Growth Award: Scott Barber
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Best Legacy Migration: H&H Sports Protection
2021
Designer of the Year: LaQuan Smith
Startup of the Year: JMP The Label
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Growth Award: Holderness & Bourne
Ethical Fashion Award: Amour Vert
B2B Store Showcase: Dromedaris
2020
Innovator of the Year: Portland Garment Factory
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Most Promising Startup: Calder Carmel
Read Case Study | Visit Website
Growth Award: Lola & Sophie
A story worth celebrating
Put your own business forward or help an exceptional brand or partner get the recognition they deserve.
Give a standout business its moment
Submit your own business or nominate one that deserves recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ApparelMagic Awards?
The ApparelMagic Awards are an annual recognition program celebrating clients and partners doing standout work across the fashion industry.
Who can participate or make a nomination?
ApparelMagic clients and partners are eligible for the awards. Anyone can nominate an eligible business, including clients, industry peers, community members, and the greater apparel and ecommerce ecosystems.
Can I nominate my own business?
Yes. ApparelMagic clients and partners can put their own business forward for consideration.
Do I need access to a business’s results to nominate them?
No. You can nominate a business based on the work you’ve seen. Share specific examples or relevant links when possible.
When do submissions and nominations open?
Submissions and nominations for the 2026 ApparelMagic Awards open on October 14, 2026.
How do I choose an award category?
Review the category descriptions and select the one that best matches the business, achievement, or story you want to highlight.
How are winners selected?
Submissions and nominations are reviewed based on the strength of the story, the work accomplished, and how well each entry fits the selected award category.
What do winners receive?
Winners receive recognition as part of the 2026 ApparelMagic Awards, along with a prize package that varies for client brands and partners.
How many winners will be selected?
Each award will have a shortlist of finalists, and then each award will have one ultimate winner from the shortlist.
When will the winners be announced?
he 2026 ApparelMagic Awards finalists will be announced on January 12th, 2027. The winners will be announced on January 28th, 2027.