If you want to know what’s coming next in retail… watch the students.
The FGI Dallas 2026 Scholarship Competition is a real-time look at how the next generation is thinking about product, merchandising, sustainability, and technology.
The Future of Fashion Starts Here:
Inside the 2026 FGI Dallas Scholarship Competition
We say it all the time inside The Hub:
The most profitable retailers don’t follow trends.
They see them early and buy accordingly.
At FGI Dallas 2026 Scholarship Competition , top fashion students from across the country are presenting work across:
- Apparel design (from streetwear to bridal)
- Sustainability-focused collections
- Digital merchandising and store planning
- 3D and tech-driven design
This is how the next wave of brands is being built. What you see here will show up in the market 12–24 months from now.
A Pipeline of What’s Next
Hosted by Fashion Group International of Dallas, this annual event brings together top fashion students from across the country to compete for over $40,000 in scholarships.
Students compete across categories that mirror real-world retail and design demands:
- Black Tie / Bridal
- Cocktail / Party
- Daywear / Streetwear
- Apparel Sustainability
- Digital Merchandising & Store Planning
- Fashion Portfolio
- Digital Sustainability (3D Collection)
This is your trend forecast, before it hits market.
Why This Matters for Boutique Retailers
At The Boutique Hub, we talk a lot about staying ahead, not reacting to trends, but anticipating them.
You’re seeing:
- How young designers are thinking about sustainability and production
- What Gen Z aesthetics actually look like in product
- Where technology (like 3D design) is reshaping development
- And how inclusivity—across size and gender—is becoming standard, not optional
If you’re a buyer, this is insight you can’t get from a line sheet.
More Than a Competition
One of the most valuable parts of the event happens before the awards even begin.
The daytime programming includes a Career Day panel where students connect directly with industry professionals—learning, asking questions, and building relationships.
What You’ll Experience: Event Agenda
5:00 PMÂ –Â 6:00 PM- Career Day Panel
Students will have an opportunity to hear from industry experts on a variety of subjects related to fashion. Industry professionals attending will be available for networking throughout the afternoon as available.
Panelists will include:
Ken Weber of Martini Consignment
Samantha Conner of The Boutique Hub
Deseri Kelle, Handbag Designer
Crespatrick de los Reyes, Wardrobe Stylist and Designer
6:00 PMÂ –Â 6:45 PM Networking at Boutique Hub Showroom, 13-812
Stop by the Boutique Hub Showroom for refreshments and an opportunity to network with panelists, fellow students, and judges ahead of the awards ceremony.
7:00 PMÂ –Â 08:30 PM – Scholarship Awards Ceremony
We invite all to attend and watch as we award over $40,000 in scholarship awards to students in fashion design and merchandising studies.
8:30 PM- After Party
Attendees are invited to mingle at Catbird inside the Thomson Hotel after the event. 21+ only after 9PM.
Get your Ticket Now
2050 North Stemmons Freeway Dallas, TX 75207
April 17, 2026
Tickets available HERE
Whether you’re a boutique owner, buyer, brand, or just someone who loves where fashion is going next, this is an event worth showing up for.
At The Boutique Hub, we believe the best way to stay ahead is to stay connected.
- The Smartest Retailers Are Already Watching This: Inside the 2026 FGI Dallas Scholarship Competition
The Boutique Hub is heading to the PGA Show in Orlando. Tapping into the fast-growing golf apparel market projected to hit $13B by 2032. Golf fashion is evolving beyond the course, creating big opportunities for boutique retailers. The Hub team will be connecting with brands, discovering new trends, and offering live education and retail audits at the event on July 28th. Boutique owners interested in athleisure, activewear, or preppy styles should consider adding golf-inspired looks to their lineup. VIP perks available through The Hub’s exclusive registration link. - Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): Why Most Boutique Owners Never Finish What They Start
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many ideas, struggled to stay focused, or wondered why your business isn’t growing as fast as it should… this conversation is for you. Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks dive into the reality of being a visionary entrepreneur, why not every idea is meant for right now, and how… Read more: Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): Why Most Boutique Owners Never Finish What They Start - What Actually Happens at Boutique Summit (From Retailers Who’ve Been There)
Wondering what actually happens at Boutique Summit? From real retailer experiences to the strategies that are working right now, here’s what to expect when you step into the room and why it’s become a turning point for so many boutique owners. - #806: The Messy Middle of Building a Business
What does it actually look like to grow a boutique from nothing… into multiple thriving businesses? Ashley sits down with Alyssa Wagler, owner of Top Notch Boutique, who built her business from the ground up—beginning in a mini barn and growing into storefronts, wholesale, and custom manufacturing. But growth didn’t come with a clear plan… and it definitely didn’t come easy. This is the real, unfiltered conversation about what happens when your business starts working—and you’re forced to figure out how to scale it in real time. - Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): The Real Questions Boutique Owners Need to Answer
Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks are back for another Couch Conversation to unpack the real, unfiltered truth about building a business while raising a family. From playing small out of fear to the resentment that can build when expectations aren’t clearly communicated, this conversation hits the tension most boutique owners quietly carry.
