fashion quarterly looks for the next BIG thing in fashion design

Jodie Webster, 2006 Winner

Fashion Quarterly's 'Young Designer of the Year' competition first started in 2006, and since then it has been giving aspiring, young, Kiwi designers a much needed chance to get noticed on the international fashion scene.

"It's not easy being a young designer in New Zealand", says third year Fashion Design student, Lara Lee. "It's cut-throat because there's so many young Kiwi's wanting to be the next big thing in New Zealand fashion. [But] the truth is that many young designers will never be able to make a living off being a fashion designer alone. A lot of young designers are forced to work regular day jobs and treat their design as a side project. It's really unfortunate, but just one of the realities of entering into such a competitive industry. Unfortunately the New Zealand fashion industry just isn't big enough for everybody to succeed, and sadly half the time it doesn't even matter how talented you are; it seems to be more about how lucky you are. It can be as simple as being in the right place at the right time. The exposure that a young designer would get from winning this competition would be invaluable in helping them to get noticed, not to mention the money!" Lara says with a laugh.

So what must I do to get this invaluable exposure?, you may ask. Well, entrants are asked to design a capsule collection of three pieces, of which one must be constructed and realised to a standard New Zealand size 10. The brief may seem slightly daunting, however there are no rules against using designs or garments that have been previously created for assignments (thank goodness for that!). As long as it is your own original work and it fits the brief, then pretty much anything goes.

For some however, not having the option to design garments for a male has put them off entering the competition. "I know a few guys from my classes that would have entered if they had have been given the chance to design something for a male." Lara admits. "But I guess, the female fashion industry is where the money is, overseas especially. It just tends to be more diverse because females are naturally more experimental with their fashion sense. I guess for this kind of competition, designing something for a female allows designers to have more options; creatively I mean".

The competition is open to all students who are currently enrolled in a fashion or textile design course in New Zealand, or graduates with no more than two years of industry experience. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 to help launch their career, as well as exposure in Fashion Quarterly.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, especially if you've already got a library of your own designs and garments itching to be seen by industry professionals. I had a look at the designs of a few of the past winners (2006 winner seen above) to get an idea of what the general standard is, and was pleasantly surprised to see the diversity in what the judges considered to be a 'winning' piece. If you're unsure if you're designs are up to scratch I encourage you to just enter anyway. You never know what will catch the judges eye this year, and as Lotto has taught us - You've got to be in it to win it! (ha ha).

To enter email youngdesigner@fashionquarterly.co.nz for an entry form and conditions. Entries close Monday June 27, 2011.

Good luck!