ARUCAD and FYVE ACTIVE Sportswear Design Competition
Administration: ARUCAD Textile and Fashion Design Department and FYVE ACTIVE
Participant: Any natural person applying to the competition under these Terms and Conditions.
Participants must meet the following requirements:
- The submitted design must not have received an award in any previous competition.
- Participants must continue to meet all competition requirements from the application stage until the end of the competition process.
- Incomplete applications and/or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
- Participants must submit 6 boards explaining the design process for each of the 6 looks in their collection. These boards must include preliminary drawings, sketches, figure studies, technical notes, and visual illustrations showing the relationship between fabric, accessories, technique, and garment anatomy. The materials may be prepared using drawing and expression techniques preferred by the participant.
- Participants who are found not to meet these requirements may be disqualified at any stage of the competition.
- All submitted designs must be original.
- Designs that violate third-party intellectual property rights will be disqualified.
- Finalists agree to actively participate in the production process of their designs.
- Participants agree to keep confidential any information obtained during the competition process.
Participants are expected to develop:
- A 6-look sportswear capsule collection.
- Designs suitable for an active lifestyle, including fitness, yoga, running, and athleisure.
- A strong balance between performance and aesthetics.
- Designs compatible with the FYVE ACTIVE brand identity: minimal, modern, and functional(https://fyveactive.com).
- Participants will develop their collections based on the following theme:
PLAYFUL PARADOX: Active Duality
Spring/Summer 2026
This theme is inspired by the energy of contrasts within an active lifestyle. It explores the dynamic relationship between performance and play, discipline and freedom, and past and future. Within this concept, sportswear is understood not only as functional clothing, but also as a medium for sensorial experience, self-expression, and storytelling.
Participants are invited to develop their collections along the following axes:
- Soft, fluid forms for yoga ↔ sharp, aerodynamic lines for running
- Retro sports aesthetics ↔ futuristic technical fabrics
- Minimal silhouettes ↔ maximal surface detailing
Collection Categories
Participants are expected to create a capsule collection within the following categories:
- Fitness sets, such as leggings, sports bras, and crop tops
- Yoga wear, including flowy sets and second-skin pieces
- Running apparel, such as lightweight jackets and shorts
- Athleisure, including hybrid pieces that combine everyday wear and performance
Colour Palette
The colour palette reflects the theme Playful Paradox: Active Duality through a balance of bold and calming tones. Vibrant colours such as Crimson, Thrift Pink, and Blue Gleam express energy and playfulness, while Mint and soft peach tones suggest freshness and fluidity. These are grounded by deeper neutrals such as Navy, Forest Green, and Black, creating a balance between performance and expression: bold yet wearable, playful yet refined.
Participants must submit the following materials:
- Online application form, available at https://apply.arucad.edu.tr
- A collection presentation consisting of 6 full looks/boards, each in A3 size. Each board must include artistic and technical drawings, as well as the fabric and accessory details for each look.
- Supporting concept materials, such as an inspiration board (moodboard), storyboard, colour board, video/short film, photograph, or written text prepared or referenced by the participant
- Preliminary drawings, sketches, figure studies, explanatory notes, and illustrative drawings showing the development process and the relationship between fabric, accessories, technique, and garment anatomy
Important Notes:
- Submissions that do not comply with the specified formats will not be accepted.
- Designs must not include any name, signature, or other identifying element. Otherwise, the submitted material will not be considered.
- A workshop will be held on 6 May by Berke Uluşan, a member of the Textile and Fashion Design Department at ARUCAD, during which all necessary details will be explained. All students interested in this competition are strongly encouraged to attend
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Creativity
- Idea and concept
- Translation of the chosen theme into design
c. Form
d. Collection integrity
- Material Usage
- Originality
b. Suitability to the design
c. Use of accessories
d. Harmony of materials
- Presentation and Technical Drawing
- Visual presentation of the design process
b. Technical drawing
- Wearability and Producibility
- Submission Deadline: 31 May 2026
- Announcement of Top 5 Designs: 5 June 2026
- Submission of Physical Works by Selected Candidates: 8 June 2026
Selected candidates must submit their physical works to the Office of the Head of the Textile and Fashion Design Department (TI-OFF 16). - Announcement of the Winner: 12 June 2026
- Start of Production Process by FYVE Company
- Medet Erim Özbayrak, Founder of FYVE ACTIVE
- Abdullah Öztoprak, Chief Designer at SİTTİGA ÖZTOPRAK Fashion House – Organization – Casting Agency – Advertising
- Zerrin Akıncı, Founder and Chief Designer of Bin Üç Yüz Otuz Yedi Fashion Design Ltd. (on behalf of madebyZA)
- Şansım Televi Boğa, Senior Instructor in the Textile and Fashion Design Department at ARUCAD
- Berke Uluşan, Senior Instructor in the Textile and Fashion Design Department at ARUCAD
- Elham Etemadi, Head of the Textile and Fashion Design Department at ARUCAD
- The winning design will be produced by FYVE Company and commercialized under the designer’s name.
- All five selected designs will receive a certificate of recognition.
- The usage rights of the finalist designs shall belong to the Administration for a limited period determined by the organizers.
- The production and commercial usage rights of the winning design shall b transferred to FYVE ACTIVE.
- The designer’s name shall be credited in all relevant uses of the winning design.
- The Administration reserves the right to make changes to the competition process when deemed necessary.
- Participation in the competition constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
- In the event of a false declaration, any award granted may be withdrawn.