Minju has arguably become the most commercially visible winner of the franchise. Following her win, she launched her brand, MINJUKIM , to global acclaim.

Here is a more detailed report on each of the winners:

Took home $250,000 and launched an exclusive retail line on luxury portal NET-A-PORTER . Nigel Xavier : Season 2 Winner

Yet the most profound definition of a winner lies in the third pillar: narrative and identity. In a globalized market where trends collapse instantly on TikTok, the only currency left is authenticity. The winners of Next in Fashion are storytellers. Minju Kim told a story of joyful rebellion, using volume and color to create armor for the introverted extrovert. The Garment Geeks told a story of environmental responsibility, proving that zero-waste design is not a limitation but a creative springboard. A designer who merely replicates the current Y2K revival or deconstructs a blazer without emotional context will be eliminated. The winner is the one who makes the judges feel something—who has a cultural perspective, a political message, or a deeply personal history stitched into every seam.

Trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp .

The winners of Next in Fashion are selected through a rigorous judging process, which involves a panel of industry experts and fashion professionals. The competition is open to designers from all over the world, and the winners are announced at the annual Next in Fashion Awards ceremony.

However, technical skill alone is insufficient. The history of fashion competitions is littered with avant-garde geniuses who failed to translate their art into commerce. The true "next in fashion" winner understands that clothing is meant to be worn. This is where the show’s guest judges—often buyers and editors—play a crucial role. A winner cannot simply design for the runway; they must design for the rack. Minju Kim succeeded because her voluminous dresses and graphic knits, while playful, had a clear retail identity. The Garment Geeks won because they turned sustainable upcycling into desirable streetwear. The winner of Next in Fashion is the designer who makes the judges (and the viewing public) think, “I want to wear that right now.” They bridge the gap between the fantasy of the mood board and the reality of the sidewalk, proving that fashion is ultimately a service industry dressed in art.

Here are the winners of Next in Fashion for the past few years:

Wowed the final runway with a Frida Kahlo-inspired collection .