Louis Stitch, a footwear brand serving working professionals across the USA, Europe, Singapore, UAE, India, and Sri Lanka, in collaboration with IIT Delhi, invites students to participate in the
Next-Gen Footwear Challenge: A Design Challenge + Case Competition. This competition challenges participants to design a collection of 1 sneaker and 1 athleisure shoe for ambitious urban professionals aged 22–35, blending timeless Italian refinement with modern street utility. Who Should Apply Open to all students from all colleges. Individual participation only, with each participant allowed to submit one entry. This is ideal for design, fashion, business, and marketing students looking to showcase their creativity and strategic thinking. Competition Format The competition consists of two rounds. Round 1 is an online submission where participants must submit a complete PPT deck through Unstop, covering inspiration and ideation, a complete go-to-market strategy, and all required design deliverables. Shortlisted finalists from Round 1 will present their work in person before a judging panel in Round 2. The venue, date, and time for Round 2 will be shared with shortlisted finalists. Problem Statement & Submission Requirements Participants must design a 2-piece collection consisting of 1 sneaker and 1 athleisure shoe. The submission must include: 3D footwear designs with high-resolution renders from four angles (lateral, medial, top-down, and outsole/tread) along with material callouts; an inspiration mood board and color story; a collection story with a title and a maximum 250-word pitch covering the emotional anchor and design philosophy; a go-to-market strategy covering channels, campaigns, and promotional plans; and compulsory integration of the Louis Stitch crest/wordmark into the design. Evaluation Criteria Submissions are judged on three criteria: 3D Aesthetics & Silhouette Innovation (40 points), Concept Narrative & Selling Power / GTM Strategy (40 points), and Brand Alignment & Logo Integration (20 points). Prizes 1st Place: ₹10,000; 2nd Place: ₹8,000; 3rd Place: ₹5,000. Top 10 finalists will receive Louis Stitch prizes, an internship opportunity, and a chance at a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO). All other Round 2 finalists will receive merchandise and gifts. Eligibility & Rules Open to all college students. All design work, renders, and written content must be original; unlicensed stock assets, plagiarism, or previously published designs will result in disqualification. AI tools are permitted for generating 3D renders, but written content must reflect the participant's own thinking. Including the Louis Stitch logo is compulsory. Submissions that do not address all five core submission requirements may incur a points penalty. Late submissions will not be accepted. Participants retain ownership of their concepts but grant organizers and Louis Stitch rights to showcase and promote the work for competition purposes. Contacting judges directly, publicly sharing submissions before results, or attempting to influence judging may lead to disqualification. About the Organiser IIT Delhi is one of India's premier engineering institutions, known for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. This competition is part of Rendezvous '26, IIT Delhi's annual cultural and technical festival, which attracts students from across the country. How to Apply Registration closes on September 20, 2026. Submit your entry through the Unstop platform using the application link provided. For further details, join the official WhatsApp group and refer to the rulebook.
Eligibility
Open to all college students. Individual participation only.
Prizes
1st
₹10,000
2nd
₹8,000
3rd
₹5,000
Top 10 Finalists
Louis Stitch prizes, internship opportunity, and chance at a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO)
