$17,000 prize pool for budding fashion designers

For Immediate Release
12 June 2007

McDonald’s serves it up a la mode
$17,000 prize pool for budding fashion designers

McDonald’s is giving fashion design students a career head start with the McDonald’s There’s Nothing Uniform About $10,000 uniform design competition.

The winner, to be selected by two well known New Zealand designers, will see their uniform created and available to McDonald’s 6000 crew members across New Zealand.

With a first prize of $10,000, a runner-up prize of $5,000 and a third prize of $2,000, the competition provides great incentive for students and McDonald’s staff, who are also eligible to enter. Judges for the competition are renowned fashion designer Tanya Carlson and Cara Cotton, the name behind Cherry Cotton Candy.

McDonald’s Director of Human Resources, Evelyn Gates, says the competition, which closes on 29 June 2007, could provide budding fashion designers with that all-important big break.

“It’s also a fantastic chance to impact the work environment of one of New Zealand’s most high profile teams,” she says.

Judge Tanya Carlson agrees and says the competition is a smart career move for students wanting to move into the realm of a working fashion designer.

“Being selected for the award will really raise the profile of the winner within the industry and any student knows just how far a $10,000 cash prize could go towards funding their studies,” says Ms Carlson.

She says she is looking for a professional design that combines creative flair, manufacturability and brand presentation.

“While many think of fashion design as the glamorous gear gracing runways, there’s also a commercial reality to fashion design – and creating an attractive and functional shirt for the busy McDonald’s crew is a good challenge for any designer.”

McDonald’s current crew uniforms were last updated two years ago. The company recently announced it is refurbishing the majority of its restaurants nationwide, to provide customers with a modern and comfortable dining experience.

“Our crew are a hugely important part of our business, and we want them to have a great uniform that they feel good in, that reflects the new look of McDonald's restaurants. It’s all part of providing a contemporary dining experience at McDonald’s,” says Evelyn Gates.

The competition is open to students currently enrolled in fashion design course at a New Zealand tertiary provider and McDonald’s staff. Entries can be individual efforts, group or team submissions.

The McDonalds uniform design competition is open from 1 to 29 June 2007, and entries may be submitted as electronic files or hard-copy artist’s impressions or sketches. Further information and full terms and conditions are available at www.mcdonalds.co.nz

ENDS

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