Francis Hooper, from fashion label World, will make his third appearance at the awards which organisers say have become firmly established on the national fashion calendar and are now the country's longest-running fashion design competition of their type.
Convener Heather Paterson said the awards offered all amateur fashion designers the chance to display their talents in a competitive arena judged by a panel of high-calibre fashion judges in front of an audience.
A prize pool of $24,000 is on offer, with the overall winner taking home a $10,000 prize package.
Securing Mr Hooper again was a coup, Mrs Paterson said.
"He is a staunch supporter of the event and the opportunity the awards offer up-and-coming designers.
"He will be joined on the panel by a further four judges whose identity will be revealed once they have been confirmed."
Mr Hooper will not only judge the awards but he will be the guest speaker at a Sunday brunch the day after the finals night.
Entries for the awards will close on June 16.
A new avant-garde section has been introduced this year, taking the number of competitive sections to nine.
The awards will be held in Gore on July 24 and 25.
