Entering the 2027 Golden Shears

The Golden Shears 2027 competition is open to those at the beginning of their tailoring career. Below you will find links to the rules, eligibility criteria, deadlines and information on how to submit your garment(s) for entering our biennial competition.

 

The Merchant Taylors’ Golden Shears is a leading tailoring competition within the UK and Ireland and has championed the tailoring craft for over 50 years. Through a series of technical and style judging, each Golden Shears rewards skill and technique alongside design.

 

Only tailors based in the UK or Republic of Ireland are eligible to enter.

 

At the evening of the Grand Final, the judges award three prizes: the Golden Shears, the Silver Shears and the Robert Bright Rising Star Award.

​

You can download the rules here.

​

Timeline to the competition:
 

Written submissions open: Wednesday 6 May 2026

Written submissions deadline: 28 October 2026

Deadline for garment submission: 6 January 2027

Technical judging announcement: to be announced

Grand Final: March 2027

 

Queries

thegoldenshears@merchant-taylors.co.uk

​