This year's winner will get a six-day overseas trip to London with the Mr Price trend team to visit the trend offices and see leading fashion on the high street. The winner will get an opportunity to be exposed to the full retail cycle through a mentorship programme with Mr Price and will showcase a range at the Elle New Talent Show at the 2010 Sanlam South African Fashion Week (SSAFW). In addition they will also get a chance to redesign items from their range to be merchandised in selected Mr Price stores under the Project label.
"As a fashion retailer we are in a position to invest in and nurture young South African designers in a meaningful way," says Joanne Coelho, trend executive for Mr Price.
"It is only natural for Elle ... to be at the forefront of not only discovering but also nurturing the local design signature of tomorrow," said Elle's editor, Jackie Burger.
The competition is open to recently qualified designers who have not yet launched their own labels. To enter, the designers have to create a women's wear collection of eight garments for Winter 2009/10. The theme for this year's Awards is 'One World'. Designers are encouraged to create an energetic mix of influences from across the globe that is modern and wearable.
Elle's fashion director, Chris Viljoen urged contestants to use the combinations of the emergence of an African influence and the broader context of the East, South America and even Europe to create a look that is contemporary, fresh and new. "One World is a concept which focuses on influences - both historically and culturally that surround us. The cross-pollination of pattern and print is a big trend."
For a more detailed brief, visit www.ellemagazine.co.za. Entries should be sent to Elle Magazine, 37 Bath Ave, Rosebank for the attention of Tiffany Widlake.
Closing date for entries is Friday 12 June 2009 and the six finalists will be notified by telephone by 19 June 2009.
Previous winners of the competition include David Tlale, Frances Andrews (Library label), Tiaan Nagel and last year's winner Anisa Mpungwe who has since launched her own label, Loin Cloth & Ashes.
"Winning this competition definitely opened my eyes to the realities of the clothing business, how intense it is and that to be successful, you have to work hard and network. The competition was a massive stepping stone. Elle and Mr Price backing is also reassuring because it shows a confidence and belief in your work," said Mpungwe.
