Fashion is what you wear to be fabulous. Costume is what you wear to be someone else. If it’s a historical style, it’s fashion. If it’s a historical character, it’s costume.

Fashion

• Focuses on aesthetics and design.

• Highlights silhouette, structure, and wearability.

• Might be inspired by trends, haute couture, or artistic vision.

• The model wears the outfit - they are not becoming a character.

Costume

• Tells a story or represents a character/theme.

• Prioritizes transformation over wearability.

• Can be whimsical, funny, spooky, or dramatic.

• The wearer becomes the character or concept.

Historical/Period Fashion

• The outfit highlights the design and craftsmanship of the period without focusing on a specific character.

• It’s treated like a historical or vintage runway piece.

• The model is presenting the clothing, not performing has a historical figure.

Historical/Period Costume

• It’s meant to portray a character or persona from a certain time.

• There’s an element of storytelling or roleplay

• It’s theatrical and leans into the character’s mannerisms or backstory.

Eligibility to Enter:
Only fully-registered attendees and those registered at the host hotel under their name are eligible to enter the competitions. Sign-up (for a fee) is available during registration.

Entry Limitation:
Participants are allowed to enter one piece per category. Each competition category is initially limited to twelve (12) competitors, accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Collaboration Guidelines:
Teams can perform together, but only one member will be officially recognized for scoring and awards.

Supply Policy:
T&S does not provide balloons, inflators, or other materials for dresses/costumes. However, participants are free to seek sponsorship for products.

Last Minute Entries:
Contact the competition director to inquire about late entry availability.

Model Responsibility: It's up to competitors to arrange their own models for the competition.

Communication and Compliance:
Promptly respond to any requests for information regarding your entry. We will reach out for specifics about the size and any technical aspects of your sculpture. Failure to respond to inquiry or adhering to guidelines may disqualify your entry from awards. Disrespecting Twist & Shout staff may result in a deduction of 10-30 points (out of 300).

Material:
At least 75% of each dress or costume must be made from latex balloons.

Attachment and Decoration:
All methods of construction (ex. Glue, wire, monofilament, EMT) are permissible. Surface decoration (ex. Paint, marker, vinyl, gemstones) are allowed. No confetti allowed.

Balloons should be the predominant element of the sculpture.

Additional Elements: Body paint, makeup, and accessories are permitted but will not influence judging.

Mobility: Models must be able to safely navigate steps and move comfortably on and off the stage in dresses and costumes. Stair width can vary depending upon location.

Audience Appropriateness:
Designs should be suitable for all audience members.

Supplies:
You are responsible for bringing any framing, dress forms, etc. needed for your entry.

Sculpture building can occur at any time or location. Sculpture (or parts of it) can be built before the convention.

Priority access to the Competition room is available for large sculpture building.Space may be available for Balloon Dress & Costume construction, contact us for details.

Pending space availability, Competition Room access is available:
• Tuesday 6 am to 6 pm
• Wednesday 6 am to 6 pm

Performance Order:
Order will be posted 30 minutes before the show. If there is a discrepancy of the rules, please check with the producer and stage management.

Stage Presentation:
No items are to be thrown into the audience or on stage by the competitors. Each entry must be showcased on stage in the predetermined order. Failure to be ready at the assigned time will result in disqualification.

MC Introduction:
Artists are required to provide the MC with a brief written introduction or suggested phrases for their stage intros. A missing competitor information sheet may result in a deduction of 5 - 30 points (out of 300).

Sound System:
A standard sound system with audio inputs will be available. If you have custom music, ensure your sound file is pre-loaded on a USB drive or portable audio device and given to the competition director the day before the tech rehearsal.

Music:
Each performer is given a maximum of 3 minutes to use the runway. They can use as much or as little of that time as they choose. Music submissions must be submitted no later than 2 weeks prior to the convention. After this deadline, we cannot guarantee the inclusion of your specific music in our lineup. Email your music to tawneybubbles@gmail.com A missing music file ( if applicable) may result in a deduction of 5 - 30 points (out of 300).

Choreography:
Competitors are permitted to incorporate choreography or navigate the runway in any manner they choose, provided that their performance remains family-friendly and does not exceed the allotted time frame of 3 minutes.

No items are to be thrown by competitors or models into the audience at any point.

Strike:
Performers are expected to have their props and balloons cleared within 1 hour of the end of the performance night. Not cleaning your area on time may result in a deduction of 10 - 40 points (out of 300).

Stage Lighting:
Adequate stage lighting will be provided for all performances.

Stage Design:
The performance area includes a raised platform, complemented by pipe and drape, and/or a balloon backdrop, and wings. Accessible steps will be on either side of the stage. Please ensure your piece can easily access and exit the stage

12:30 PM - Turn in for Fashion and Costume. Fashion and Costumes are not required to be worn by a model for pre-judging. Presentation on a mannequin is fine, but models may wear the outfit if desired.

1:00 - 2:00 PM - Pre-judging for Fashion and Costume

2:00 - 3:00 PM - Mandatory Tech rehearsal for Costume and Fashion

3:00 - 4:30 PM - Pickup Fashions and Costumes from judging

5:15 - 5:30 PM - Models must be dressed and backstage

5:30 - 7:00 PM - Dress rehearsal and Photography for Fashion and Costume.

7:00 PM - Doors open

7:30 PM - Show time

Late arrival to the designated call times is a deduction of 20 points (out of 300). Arrivals more than 15 minutes late will be disqualified.

Process & Eligibility:
Fully-registered audience members can cast one (1) vote in each category. Voting is open for 30 minutes at the show's conclusion. This award will go to the competitor who receives the most votes from attendees.

Panel Review: Five judges, chosen by convention organizers, will represent a mix of balloon professionals, fashion and entertainment industry experts

Pieces will be awarded up to 60 points/category: Judges will award up to 60 points each for a total of 300 total available points from the five judges. See link to score sheets below.

Up to 60 points will be awarded each entry from each judge
The total of the five scores from the judges will determine the competitor’s final score (potential of 300 points).

Presentation
(up to 10 points) Does the piece evoke an emotional response — elegance, joy, surprise, awe? Does it make a statement or say something through its design? Is it visually striking from a distance and rewarding to explore up close?

Creativity and Originality
(up to 10 points) Is the design original and imaginative? Is there a spark of creativity that makes it stand out from familiar or expected designs?

Wearability & Fit
(up to 10 points) Does the outfit hold its intended shape and move well as wearable fashion?

Technique & Skill
(up to 10 points) Are the techniques clean, advanced, and artfully used to enhance the design? Do elements like weaving, intricate patterning, or embellishment show precision? Does the piece demonstrate a mastery of skills specific to balloons? 

Detail
(up to 10 points) Is there a high level of craftsmanship in the fine details? Do these details enhance the overall look of the design?

Possible Point Deductions

• Failure to respond to inquiry or adhering to guidelines may disqualify your entry from awards. Disrespecting Twist & Shout staff may result in a deduction of 10-30 points (out of 300).

• A missing competitor information sheet may result in a deduction of 5 - 30 points (out of 300).

• A missing music file ( if applicable) may result in a deduction of 5 - 30 points (out of 300).

• Not cleaning your area on time may result in a deduction of 10 - 40 points (out of 300).

• Late arrival to the designated call times is a deduction of 20 points (out of 300). Arrivals more than 15 minutes late will be disqualified.

Decisions made by judges are final and binding.

Tie-Breaking:
In case of a tie, judges will reconvene to determine the winner through an additional evaluation.

Winners of the Balloon Dress competition will be announced at the Saturday night banquet.

Score Sheets: A copy will be provided to competitors after the convention upon request.

Up to 60 points will be awarded each entry from each judge
The total of the five scores from the judges will determine the competitor’s final score (potential of 300 points).

Concept & Character
(up to 10 points) Does the costume clearly communicate a character, creature, or concept — whether original, abstract, or narrative? Is the identity of the piece imaginative and well-developed, with a strong sense of who or what it represents?

Design & Detail
(up to 10 points) Is the design strong and visually effective? Do the details — including props, accessories, and finishing touches — support the character or story and contribute to a complete, intentional look?

Wearability & Fit
(up to 10 points) Does the costume support the model’s ability to move in a way that enhances the character or concept? Is the fit appropriate for the intended role — whether form-fitting, bulky, or exaggerated — and does it function as needed to deliver the intended impact?

Technique & Craftsmanship
(up to 10 points) Are the techniques clean and skillfully executed? Does the piece demonstrate mastery of balloon-specific construction, whether traditional or creatively adapted to serve the story?

Presentation
(up to 10 points) Does the costume come to life in motion or performance? Does it spark an emotional or narrative response — joy, sorrow, wonder?

Possible Point Deductions

• Failure to respond to inquiry or adhering to guidelines may disqualify your entry from awards. Disrespecting Twist & Shout staff may result in a deduction of 10-30 points (out of 300).

• A missing competitor information sheet may result in a deduction of 5 - 30 points (out of 300).

• A missing music file ( if applicable) may result in a deduction of 5 - 30 points (out of 300).

• Not cleaning your area on time may result in a deduction of 10 - 40 points (out of 300).

• Late arrival to the designated call times is a deduction of 20 points (out of 300). Arrivals more than 15 minutes late will be disqualified.

Decisions made by judges are final and binding.

Tie-Breaking:
In case of a tie, judges will reconvene to determine the winner through an additional evaluation.

Winners of the Balloon Dress competition will be announced at the Saturday night banquet.

Score Sheets: A copy will be provided to competitors after the convention upon request.