Call to enter the Elle New Talent Fashion Designer Competition

13 Jun 2011

Elle magazine, in partnership with Mr Price, is calling for new designers to enter its New Talent Fashion Designer Competition, which is open to new designers in search of a platform to launch their labels in the South African fashion industry.

To enter the competition designers have to design a womens-wear collection of eight complete outfits for winter 2011/2012 that meets this year's brief: Show us your pattern. The collection must be submitted in storyboard format and should be no bigger than A3. Fabric swatches and technical drawings must accompany all entries, together with a short biography and a brief motivation or inspiration for the range (no more than 100 words). Students or designers who have been operating their own labels for more than five years are not eligible for entry.

The Elle New Talent Fashion Designer Competition exposes young designers to industry best practice, key industry players and helps facilitate commercial relationships.

Links between designers and retail operations

Editor Jackie Burger said: "The creative industries all over the world now actively scout for talent. And designers no longer need to slave away, hoping for a chance meeting with a financier. Business has become more proactive in today's competitive environment and our partnership with Mr Price enables us to facilitate links between designers and retail operations, and we want to encourage all young designers to take advantage of the opportunities that have been provided to them, so that they build themselves up in the industry."

Burger added: "We are looking for individuals with an original eye as well as an awareness of, and adaptability to, market trends. Designing a ready-to-wear collection will require a different approach to the creative process and we are looking for creative and passionate designers whose work will stand out."

The opportunity to design a range

Among other prizes to be won, the winner will receive R25 000 in cash to help launch a career in fashion, a mentorship programme at Mr Price head office and the opportunity to design a range to be sold at selected Mr Price stores, with the winner's name being featured on the designs items. The winner will also get the opportunity to showcase his winning range at the Elle New Talent Show at the 2012 South Africa Fashion Week (SA Fashion Week).

Go to www.elle.co.za for more information.