Event organiser Gaye McElroy said 88 schools in Southland and Otago had been contacted to encourage pupils to create wearable art.
''Entries from local primary and secondary school students have been received in the past, but without a designated school section these entries were judged along with all other entries.
"The time has come for a separation and recognition of the talent demonstrated by these young people.''
Last year, the event had 60 creators show their work to the world.
The top prize is $2500 while the winner of the school category will receive a $250 prize.
Some 700 people packed the venue in 2018 and some of the profits were donated to charity.
Ms McElroy said Southland Hospice would be the beneficiary charity of this year's event, which will be held on June 14.
Tickets for the event go on sale on Friday.
Entries also open on Friday, and details can be found on the FibreOctave website.
The judges will be Maori artist Cheree Te Orangaroa Downes, of Waihopai, in Invercargill; Wayne Hill, a sculpture artist from Riverton; and Invercargill hair designer Adrian Barclay.
