Mercedes-Benz Start Up, Canada’s ongoing program for emerging fashion designers, will make its final stop of its cross-country search for the next generation of talent in Toronto and Kitchener on Thursday, July 11. One designer from the Toronto/Kitchener search will be mentored by successful fashion industry professionals as they prepare present at a group finale runway show, at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto in October, which will also feature the finalists from Calgary, Laval and Winnipeg.
From there, the selected awarded designer will be featured in FASHION Magazine, and he or she will also receive intensive mentoring from industry leaders leading up to their own solo runway show at the Fall 2014 Collections in March 2014.
“We are excited to continue the 2013-2014 season of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up program with a search for Canada’s best up-and-coming designers. There is so much raw talent in this country and we are eager to see what the Toronto designers have to offer,” said Jarrad Clark, director of global production, IMG Fashion Events and Properties. “Offering mentorship and providing year-round support for designers is the key to keep moving fashion forward in Canada.”
To be eligible to participate, designers must have a registered Canadian business that has been operating for less than five years, and they need to have sold one commercial collection to market. Those interested in showcasing their talent in Toronto/Kitchener have until Monday, June 17 to apply.
The top applicants will present their designs and business plans to an esteemed panel of judges on Wednesday, July 10 in Toronto. Five designers will showcase their looks during an exclusive runway show the following evening at Mercedes-Benz Kitchener (125 Centennial Dr.) in front of media, tastemakers and fashion industry elite.
The Mercedes-Benz Start Up Kitchener judging panel includes:
- Jarrad Clark, director of global production, IMG Fashion Events and Properties
- JoAnne Caza, director of communications and public relations, Mercedes-Benz Canada
- Robin Kay, president, Fashion Design Council of Canada
- Randi Bergman, online editor, FashionMagazine.com
Do you think you have what it takes? Visit mercedes‐benzstartup.com for application details and requirements.
Although quite predictable, this is the most fitting video to accompany this post – David Bowie’s Fashion via YouTube below.
[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjRTswI2jEA” theme=”light”]
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