Costume-Con 2026 Virtual Competitions

Three virtual competitions took place on the evening of April 18, 2026, including the Single Pattern contest, the Future Fashion Design competition and Show, and the Doll competition. This was the second year for the virtual Single Pattern contest and the Future Fashion competitions, and the first year for the Doll competition. These events are normally held at Costume-Con, but since it was not held this year or last, the competition directors decided to put them on virtually using Zoom.  Service Mark holder  Karen Schnaubelt kindly allowed the competitions to use the Costume-Con name in recognition of their long association with Costume-Con.

The theme for the Costume-Con 2026 virtual competitions was Milan, Italy. According to Future Fashion competition co-chair Pierre Pettinger, the theme celebrates the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Milan is also the home of high fashion, magnificent architecture, and beautiful art. As always, entries in the competitions were not restricted to the overall theme.

The show was recorded and will be available on the ICG Archives YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/ICGArchives/), along with a replay of ICG President Kevin Roche’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award announcement, and the ICG Archives 2026 Memorial reel.

Single Pattern Contest

Co-Diretors: Bruce and Nora Mai

The Costume-Con 2026 Single Pattern competition is designed to provide a starting point for entrants to construct, embellish, or modify an outfit from a standard commercial pattern selected by the convention. Participants may use one or more of these patterns. The finished garment may be dramatically altered from the original design but must be recognizable as the original pattern(s) and retain its fundamental shape.

The  patterns were all selected from the Folkwear line of Ethnic and Historical Clothing: #145 Chinese Pajamas, #230 Model T Duster, #231 Big Sky Riding Skirt, and #118 Tibetan Panel Coat.

The five contestants made costumes using a combination of three of the four patterns. Four awards were presented, including “Best in Show” to “Stained Glass Lampshade Coat” by Karen Siemens, who used the Folkwear 118 Tibetan Panel Coat. Watch the show video to see the other entries and awards.

Future Fashion Design Competition and Show

Co-Diretors: Pierre and Sandy Pettinger

The Future Fashion Design Competition allows designers to create and submit original costume designs that will be collected into a Future Fashion Folio. Entrants in the Future Fashion Show select and create costumes based on designs in the Future Fashion Folio that are presented during the show.

This year the theme of the Future Fashion Design Competition was Milan and we had a special category of Oz. Three designers submitted designs and our judges, chose 78 winners. Only one person chose to make a design.. Janine Wardale chose to make up her design “Best Friends in Oz” This design won in the Formal Wear category. The ensemble features a blend of pink and green fabrics. The two plaid fabrics, underlying cotton, vintage buttons, pink fringe, pink coral trim, collar lace, flowers, and accents are all thrifted or secondhand finds. The look is topped with a coordinating pink and green hat. It serves as a spring garden dress, perfect for the day after a blizzard.

Doll Competition

Co-Diretors: Kathe and Philip Gust

Contestants for the Doll competition create original, handmade costumes for either purchased or custom-made dolls or figures, which can include humanoids, animals, or aliens.
Documentation about the design and construction is also encouraged as part of the entry.  Three aspects are judged separately: design, construction, and presentation.

There were four entries in competition this year, as well as three exhibition entries. Awards were presented for Best Design, Best Construction, and Best Presentation, and a special award recognizing a whimsical themed entry. A Best in Show award was presented to “A Day at the Sea” by Janine Wardale. This entry created not only the costumes and hats for the dolls, but an entire beach environment and a story about the Sea Creatures. Watch the show video to see the other entries and awards.