ELLE launches their Rising Star Design Award for 2013

Are you young, talented and dreaming of your own fashion label? ... If so, don’t miss out on an outstanding opportunity as ELLE and Mr Price join forces in launching your career with the ELLE Rising Star Design Award for 2013. Entries open on 20 May 2013 and entry forms and more information are available in the June issue of ELLE and online.

Not only will the winner be given the opportunity to launch his or her own fashion label, but an extensive mentoring programme will offer invaluable fashion and business knowledge that one needs if one is to succeed in the competitive and dynamic world of fashion ...

According to Jackie Burger, ELLE's Editor, the Rising Star Design Award was conceptualised to satisfy the need to identify and nurture young design talent and to offer valuable experience to succeed in the fashion world. “The competition and the collaboration with Mr Price, one of SA’s biggest fashion retailers, is a perfect fit for ELLE which is recognised as one of the world’s leading fashion titles and authorities”, concludes Jackie. 

Apart from the opportunity to redesign a pre-determined range in collaboration with Mr Price, a cash prize of R25 000 from Mr Price is also up for grabs to help the winner launch his or her career in fashion. The extensive mentorship programme, both during the competition and for 12 months after being named the 2013 ELLE Rising Star, will include two weeks at the Mr Price head office in Durban where the winner will be exposed to the complete retail cycle, from trend forecasting to merchandising. The winner will also receive personal coaching by a business expert from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and two weeks’ fashion inspiration at ELLE's Cape Town office with Editor Jackie Burger and her fashion team. 

The recognition of winning this award will be further enhanced, as the winner will have the opportunity to show their range at the 2014 ELLE Rising Star Design Award, including R6 500 from Mr Price towards the cost of creating the range. Apart from featuring in ELLE, the winner will receive a year’s subscription to the magazine for further fashion inspiration. 

Entrants have to be final-year fashion design students or fashion graduates with no more than 3 years’ design experience who are not currently employed by a South African retailer.