Top Industry Names Join the Jury—Submit Your Innovation to the FIT Sport Design Awards 2025!

The FIT Sport Design Awards, the leading international competition recognizing excellence in sports apparel and equipment design, announced its distinguished jury panel for the 2025 edition. Comprised of top industry leaders from diverse sports disciplines, design fields, and market sectors, this year’s jury brings a wealth of knowledge and insight. The jury will evaluate entries across all categories, seeking out innovative sports designs, environmentally sustainable products, performance-enhancing solutions that prioritize athletes’ comfort, and practices that have a positive impact on the environment.

Among the new jurors is Noreen Naroo-Pucci, Chief Product Officer at Merrell, who has an extensive background with brands like Calvin Klein, Under Armour, and Mizzen+Main. Pete Hill, Owner of Pete Hill Ltd., adds his expertise in outdoor and photographic product design, previously collaborating with The North Face and Arc’teryx. Also joining the panel is Florent Degourc, the French industrial designer known for his minimalist designs with prestigious brands like Ligne Roset. Karl Askill, Graphic Design Manager at Gymshark, brings his fashion and publishing background to the table, while Isa Svärd, Global Art Director at POC, is celebrated for her work in brand strategy and visual storytelling. Other notable new jurors include Ida Urmas, Circular Designer at Ethica, and Chris Stone, Circularity Designer at The North Face, both leading the way in sustainable design. The panel will also be joined by Angela Medlin, Founder of Faas Design Collab, and Alistair Hather, Design Director and Innovation Consultant in performance apparel. Joerg Rohwer-Kahlmann, Co-Founder of VOR, and Samantha Taylor, Founder of The Good Factory, bring their expertise in sustainable footwear and ethical apparel production, while Germain Thomine, Founder of MG, completes the group with his extensive experience in industrial footwear design.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome so many incredible new jurors to the FIT Sport Design Awards 2025!” said Astrid Hébert, Program Director. “With this fantastic group of industry leaders, it’s clear that the influence of the awards is growing stronger than ever. Not only does this elevate the prestige of the competition, but it also means the benefits for our winners are bigger and better. The opportunity to showcase your designs to such a diverse and influential panel is an exciting step for any designer looking to make their mark on the global sports design scene.”

The new jurors will join a distinguished group of returning experts, including Charles Johnson, Principal and Design Innovation Leader at Driven By Charles; Marcello Kuthan, Industrial/Product Designer at Scott Sports SA; Tetiana Shevchuk, Olympic Games Designer & Founder of Leotaire; Jonny Davis, Senior Product Developer at Mountain Hardwear; and Tannese Williams, Product Manager of Fashion, Home + Interiors at Pantone. They will also collaborate with Thiago Bazzi, Product Developer at Arc’teryx Equipment; Mathieu Boimare, Independent Consultant and former Global Product Creation Director at Salomon; and TÔ Long-Nam, Chair for Fashion, Accessory, and Sneaker Design at Savannah College of Art and Design, among others. This diverse and experienced group ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the designs, bringing a mix of technical, creative, and sustainable perspectives.

For a complete list of the esteemed 2025 jury members, visit the FIT Sport Design Awards website at fitdesignawards.com. There’s still time to submit your innovative designs to the FIT Sport Design Awards! The final deadline for entries is April 14th, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain recognition from this prestigious jury panel and showcase your work on a global stage.