The Golden Shears Awards
Held every two years, the Golden Shears competition brings together the very best fashion students and apprentice tailors from across the country to showcase their creative and technical excellence. The competition began in 1974 by Robert Bright, Liveryman of the Company and President of the Federation of Merchant Tailors, to search for the best tailor in the UK. In 1998 it was agreed the GS Award would focus on students on dedicated tailoring courses and trades’ apprentices. This instigated the introduction of the ‘Silver Shears’ for second place and the ‘Rising Star’ for third place.
The competition's finale, consisting of a live catwalk at Merchant Taylors' Hall - the spiritual home of tailoring - is the only event of its kind dedicated to promoting the best young creative and technical talent in tailoring.
”The Golden Shears competition exists to encourage the training and education of tailoring in young people, to the highest of standards and to further the links between the tailoring trade and the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors.
The Competition
Tailoring students and apprentices are encouraged throughout the country to vie for the coveted Golden Shears Awards.
• Entrants either must be on programmed UK Company Training, or enrolled on a Further or Higher Education Course in the UK of which tailoring or apparel making is a part.
• No entrant with more than a total of seven years of Further or Higher Education and Industrial Training will be eligible.
• There is no age limit for entering the competition.
• Each competitor will enter a coordinating outfit of at least two garments, one for the top half of the body and the other for the bottom half.
• No entry may have been entered in any previous competition.
• Garments may be for womenswear or menswear.
• All entries must conform to strict sizes: Womenswear size 10 – Menswear size 38.
• All work must be carried out by the entrant but may be done under the direction of Tutors/Trainers.
Judges
There are technical and style judges - all industry experts in their field. Marks are awarded for technical skill – design, cutting, tailoring, and style.
The Golden Shears Final
Held at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, finalists attend a live catwalk show where their garments are exhibited on professional models.
Prizes
The winners receive a cash prize as well as the award: Golden Shears winner - £3,000 | Silver Shears – £2,500 | Rising Star - £2,000
The Winners
Past Golden Shears finalists have become head cutters on Savile Row, designers in couture ateliers, lecturers at leading universities, and business owners in their own rights.
2025 Competition
All applications must be submitted (emailed or received by post) no later than midnight Wednesday 30 October 2024.
All entries including completed garments, illustrated design work and working patterns, to be received at the Merchant Taylors' Hall, by Post, Courier, or by hand: between 6 January and 8 January 2025 ONLY.
”The Golden Shears is one of my greatest achievements, both professionally and personally. Being in the trade the competition was always something to work and aspire towards... Entering the Golden Shears has been the best decision I have made!