Courtney Holm of A.BCH, Minhee Jo of Aaizél and Blair Archibald of Blair Archibald are the finalists for the 2019 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award.
BT Financial Group, in partnership with the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), has announced the trio as front runners for the title next year.
The finalists were selected from over 50 applications by a panel of industry experts.
The judges included Vogue Australia chief Edwina McCann, designer Bianca Spender, The Iconic sustainability head Jaana Quaintance-James, The Sydney Morning Herald fashion editor Melissa Singer and Westpac Group executive Rebecca Lim.
The application criteria was updated this year to include a stronger focus on applicants’ sustainable and ethical practices within their business.
This was considered an essential addition to ensure applicants were looking at how their business operates as a whole and how it impacts on the world around them.
Australian Fashion Council CEO David Giles-Kaye praised the finalists.
“The high calibre of entries this year highlights the strength of our emerging talent in Australia and the growing commitment towards conscious fashion.
"The AFC congratulates the chosen finalists for 2019, Aaizél, A.BCH and Blair Archibald, who have each demonstrated a focus on creating cutting edge design and building sustainable business foundations.”
The three finalists will present their collections alongside established Australian designers at the BT Runway event on April 11.
Of the three finalists, one designer will be announced the winner on the night and will receive a prize valued at over $100,000.
The initiative was first established in 2013 with winners including Albus Lumen (2018), Kacey Devlin (2017), macgraw (2016), Emma Mulholland (2015), Michael Lo Sordo (2014) and Christopher Esber (2013).
Pictured: Aaizél