Contests
Contest Ends In
- Download the design template: Dress Template or Jacket Template! The template cannot be altered.
- Create your costume design by hand or by a computer-generated design system.
- Watch for helpful tips on IDM’s social media channels.
- Design one or multiple costumes. Save the front and back of each design.
- Upload your design - between August 15 & September 30. You will also be asked to include a "name" for your design and 1-250 words on the story behind your design.Must be in jpg or png format.
- Like and follow @Irishdancingmagazine and @_openwingsofficial onInstagram, Facebook and TikTok to stay updated for the latest contest information.
- From October 1-31– share your design from IDM’s contest entry page and ask people to ‘like’ your design on irishdancing.com. When sharing, use the hashtags #IDMcontest and #openwingsoffiicial.
Questions? Email cameron@irishdancing.com.
Open Wings founder Craig Mason began Irish Dancing at the age of six and, as a teenager, filled sketchbooks with costume ideas simply because he loved designing them. After founding his own dance school, he began creating costumes for his students before officially launching Open Wings in 2016. Today, as the company celebrates its 10th anniversary, his bespoke designs are recognised on competition stages around the world.
What makes an Open Wings costume stand out is Craig's belief that no two dancers are alike. Rather than following trends, every design begins with a blank page and the personality of the dancer who will wear it. Carefully chosen colours, intricate embroidery and striking details come together to create elegant, timeless costumes that help dancers feel confident the moment they step onto the stage.
As this year's contest judge, he isn't searching for the most complicated design or the one that looks like everyone else's. He's looking for originality, imagination and the confidence to create something uniquely your own.
"One of my biggest learning experiences was realising that your initial idea is usually the right idea," Craig says. "Trust yourself, stick with your original vision and have fun throughout the process."
Eligibility and Rules
Please read the following before submitting your design:
- Any Irish Dancer, parent of a Dancer, or Irish Dance teacher may enter to win!
Previous Grand Prize winners & IDM employees, freelancers, or interns between 2022–2026 are not eligible. - Use only the official Dress Template or Jacket Template. These may not be altered shape.
- You may decorate the template with fabric or other materials, or create your deisgn digitally. All artwork and graphics must be your own original work.
- Multiple entries are welcome.
- Designs must include both the front and back of the costume.
- The Grand Prize winner will be selected exclusively by Open Wings. All decisions are final
- Entries open August 15 & must be received by midnight (CST) on September 30, 2026. Online voting closes October 31, 2026.
- IDM reserves the right to publish and promote submitted entries in print and online.
- The winning design may be refined by Open Wings. Final decisions regarding fabrics, crystals, and finishing details rest solely with Open Wings.
- The winning costume will be completed within 12 months of winner notification.
- The winner may collect the costume from Open Wings in the UK and pay applicable shipping, customs or import charges fees.
- Prizes are non-transferable and may not be redeemed for cash.
- Get started designing: Dress Template or Jacket Template!
Prizes
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
One lucky winner will see their original design transformed into a spectacular custom-made Open Wings solo costume!
✔ A FREE custom-made Open Wings solo costume inspired by your winning design*
✔ Open Wings' signature sparkle with premium crystals and bling
✔ A feature story in Irish Dancing Magazine, including a photo with your original design and an interview about the creative process
✔ Worldwide recognition as the winner of one of Irish Dancing Magazine's most prestigious annual contests
*Excludes shipping charges and any applicable customs duties.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER
The design receiving the most online votes will be crowned the 2026 People's Choice Winner!
✔ A £250 Open Wings voucher toward the purchase of a custom Open Wings costume
✔ A FREE one-year Irish Dancing Magazine subscription (or a $69.99 credit toward any IDM product in our online shop*)
✔ A feature in Irish Dancing Magazine, where your winning design will be showcased alongside the Grand Prize winner, with your name, dance school, and age recognized in print
✔ Official People's Choice Winner bragging rights!
*Excludes shipping charges.
TOP 15 FINALISTS
Making the Top 15 is an incredible achievement, Each designer of the top-receiving votes entries will receive:
✔ A FREE six-month Irish Dancing Magazine subscription (or a $39.99 credit toward any IDM product in our online shop*)
✔ Recognition in Irish Dancing Magazine, where your design will be featured alongside the other Top 15 finalists in the Mid-Jan/Feb 2027 print edition
✔ Official Top 15 Finalist recognition, with your name, age, and dance school published in the magazine
*Excludes shipping charges.
Technical bits: If the People’s Choice winner and Grand Prize winner are the same person, the People’s Choice prize will be given to the People’s Choice runner-up. The same individual cannot win both the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice prize. Only one prize per deisgner.
GOOD LUCK!!!