The “NEXT BRAND AWARD” is a program launched by the JFWO two years ago aiming to nurture and support new talent with global potential. According to JFWO’s mission to “create designers from Japan to the world”, the designer FETICO was selected for the first year and KANAKO SAKAI for last year’s Grand Prix. Through this program, we were able to increase brand recognition and send out a strong message both domestically and internationally.  In the third year of this program, JFWO has determined to continue providing year-round support for the winning brand in order to expand their opportunities in various ways, as well as provide them the opportunities to move to the next stage.
 
The 2025 Grand Prix winner was determined following a rigorous screening process on June 28th, 2025 that took in account various perspectives such as design, originality, potential, marketability, and completeness. The Grand Prix brand will have its first runway show on the first day of the 25 S/S season.

JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD 2025 Grand Prix
TELMA

[Schedule]
Monday, September 2nd from 11:30～　Shibuya Hikarie, Hikarie Hall A

An awards ceremony will be held after the show. During the Fashion Week period, the latest 25 S/S collection will be exhibited at CUBE on the 8th floor of Shibuya Hikarie. Further details will be announced at a future date.

Designer: Terumasa Nakajima
Graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp in 2010 and received both the Christine Mathys Award and the Louis Award for his graduation collection, which was displayed in the windows of Louis, a boutique in Antwerp. In the same year, Nakajima joined Dries Van Noten as an assistant to the designer, where he was in charge of women’s design. Afterwards, he returned to Japan and joined ISSEY MIYAKE in 2014, where he learned how to design from the concept of a single “Piece of Cloth” and develop textile, incorporating the finest craftsmanship from various areas of Japan. Launched TELMA in 2022.
 
[Winner’s comment]
TELMA was launched during Covid uncertainty, but it was founded on believing once again in the power of clothing and craftsmanship. I’m always fascinated by the wisdom and traditional techniques passed down in the regions of Japan through generations, and in awe of the genuine attitude and passion of all the people involved in its making. I take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for all the people who have continued to support TELMA and thank JFW and the committee for recognizing the brand as this year’s “JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD.”
TELMA　Terumasa Nakajima
 
JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD 2025 Judges (In random order/titles omitted)
INFAS Publications Inc, “WWDJAPAN” Editor-in-Chief, Kaname Murakami
Fashion Journalist / Editor, Mami Osugi
MATOI PUBLISHING Co., “QUOTATION” Editor, Kiwamu Sekiguchi
PALETTE art alive & 25hours/service. Director, Yoshimasa Kawamura
『sulvam』 Designer, Teppei Fujita
『FETICO』 Designer, Emi Funayama
 
[Comments from the judging committee]
You can feel the strong passion and motivation in his collection with high-quality work. The designer had gained enough experience before he found his own brand, and we feel that he is ready for the next stage of creative expression through a runway show. Although the collection has plenty of originality in its current state, we believed the brand would develop even further by expressing in a show. We are greatly looking forward to seeing the vision of the brand expand through this opportunity.Based on the above comments TELMA was unanimously chosen as the winner.
 
 
【JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD 2025】Support contents
[Support contents]
The following support will be provided towards giving a presentation in physical show format at Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2025 S/S to be held in September 2024, along with a continual presentation in physical show or presentation form at Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2025 A/W to be held in March 2025.
➤　Prize money: \2,000,000/per year (excluding tax / in the case of an independent designer, the amount withholding tax).
For both S/S, A/W seasons, the amount of \1,000,000 per season to be remitted to the account of your choice, after the end of each term.
➤　Use of Official venues free of charge, along with exemption from paying participation registration fees to give a physical presentation at Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2025 S/S to be held in September, 2024.
In addition, opportunities of aggressive communication with JFW Official media,
etc. will also be provided.
➤　Exemption from paying participation registration fees to participate in Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2025A/W to be held in March 2025.
※If Official venue is used, exemption from paying venue charges.