“In a world where everything can be replicated, true innovation inspires wonder. DAB 2027 invites designers to create leather bags that transform craftsmanship, materials and creativity into objects of beauty and emotion.“
Design-a-Bag Competition 2027 Opens for Submissions Soon!
Ready to make your mark? Review the submission requirements now and start sketching your design!
Submissions open: 10 September 2026 (tentative)
Compete for the grand prize — a coveted design course at Arsutoria School, Italy.
Design-a-Bag Competition 2026 Announcement
Design-A-Bag Competition is a global online competition for freelance bag designers and design students, organised by Fashion Access in partnership with Arsutoria School. Since 2007, it has provided an international platform for emerging talent to present innovative bag concepts, gain industry recognition, and join a growing global design community.
The Final Results Are Out!
We are thrilled to announce the results of the Design-A-Bag Competition 2026, which concluded with an exceptional Final Judging Ceremony on March 12 during APLF 2026 in Hong Kong. The judging panel has crowned Phan Nguyen Hoai Thuong from Vietnam as the overall winner for her inspiring and versatile creation, the Unbowed Bag—a symbol of endurance through chaos, representing strength, composure, and an unbowed spirit.
The Unbowed Bag
by Phan Nguyen Hoai Thuong, Vietnam
Remarkably, Hoai Thuong is a design student from Hoa Sen University, and the Unbowed Bag is actually her first-ever design, making her achievement all the more incredible. She is also the winner of the Design-A-Bag Vietnam Talent Edition held back in November during APLF ASEAN 2025. We are delighted to see her advance from the local stage to the global stage with such great success.
Hoai Thuong will receive an incredible prize package, including a 4-week Collection Development Design Course at Arsutoria School in Milan, valued at EUR 4,500, along with a EUR 1,000 accommodation allowance.
We are also pleased to announce our first runner-up, Zhuo Wei Si from China, for her practical yet functional creation, the Berlin Bag. Zhuo Wei Si will receive an 8-day training course at L.E.A.T.H.E.R Academy in Simona Tanning in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
What is Design-A-Bag Competition?
Design-A-Bag (DAB) Online Competition is the only bag designing event of its kind for designers and design students all over the world.
The competition is part of an initiative by Fashion Access and APLF. The annual event brings together a global design community to the Fashion Access trade fair. Designers can showcase their creations to the world and exchange design concepts among talents from various cultures and backgrounds.
WHO CAN JOIN?
- Design Students
- Freelance Designers
PRIZES
2027 Participants are competing for:
- A free trip to Hong Kong for Fashion Access 2027 to attend events for Design-A-Bag Competition
- USD 500 cash prize
- 4-Weeks Accessories (Bag & Footwear) Design Course at Arsutoria School, Milan valued at EUR 4,500
- One-year subscription to www.arstrends.com
- Free access to Trends Guide “ARSUTORIASTUDIO” valued at USD 550
- Editorial Exposure on www.designaccess-fa.com & www.aplf.com
