Press Release
Wednesday 18th April

Fashion Success Begins Here - Registrations Open for The Newmarket Young Fashion Designer Award 2013

Young designers take note: The Newmarket Young Fashion Designer competition is back to continue breaking boundaries in 2013. Students with a passion for fashion, textiles and design can register from Monday 29th April.

Event organiser Donna Corbel from the Newmarket Business Association says the competition gives young designers a chance to showcase their talent and skill with the support of New Zealand’s fashion capital, Newmarket.

“Entrants will be able to fast track their fashion career with this award and be able to gain valuable experience they will be able to draw on for years to come,” says Corbel.

This year the competition has been split into two divisions according to age, with a junior and senior prize package. The senior prize includes a two year scholarship for Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, a two week internship with New Zealand designer Vicki Taylor and a trip for two to Australian Fashion Week to shadow one of M.A.C’s designers with thanks to Business World Travel.

The junior prize, for those aged 16 to 17, will win a two week internship at RUBY and Liam’s head office, with more prizes to be announced soon.

Designer Vicki Taylor from fashion brand ‘taylor’ says "this competition is a fabulous experience for many younger designers to discover their talent and compare abilities with people from throughout the country. There are not many fashion scholarships around for this age group especially with such an amazing and invaluable prize."

“I’m really looking forward to having this year’s winner in my workroom; it is always so refreshing to see the beginnings of new talent and exciting to see where these winners will end up in years to come," she says.

Last year’s winner, Yeonjae Choi, revelled in a trip to Melbourne Fashion Week where she got some incredible back stage experience helping out on several shows. The inspiration for her winning design came from her passion for animal welfare.

“The trip was a great experience! I helped backstage on a number of shows which was very exciting. It was a very new experience to watch model rehearsals and being part of the chaos of dressing the models to be ready on time during the shows,” says Choi.

“I also got the chance to attend fashion shows and my favourite was the Cosmopolitan Show because it was so unique, all the models had red wigs and there was a red hair dye packet in our little gift bags. I also loved the Bazaar Bride Show; the last dress to come out had a trail that was more than 10 metres long. Three male models had to help carry it!”

Choi joins a line-up of previous winners, all of whom have gone on to pursue their own careers in fashion.

Says Corbel, “In the competitive industry that is fashion, Newmarket sees the importance of supporting up and coming designers. This support will hopefully draw these designers back one day to open their own stores in the district and keep Newmarket as the ‘fashion capital of New Zealand’.”

A $30 registration fee applies to all entrants; the registration period closes on Friday 7th June, 2013. Registration forms and further information can be found at www.newmarket.co.nz or Facebook.com/NewmarketExperience.

(ends)

© Scoop Media