Entries have officially opened for the 2020 Westpac Private Emerging Fashion Designer Award.
The award, formerly known as the BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award, aims to identify and showcase emerging fashion designers and provide financial support, advice and mentoring.
The 2020 total prize value has grown to $120,000, which will afford the winning designer the opportunity to push their emerging label to the next level.
Previously just open to womenswear and unisex designers, the award has now opened entries up to menswear designers for 2020. The award criteria focuses on applicants' business acumen, design capabilities, and sustainable and ethical practices.
The initiative was first established in 2013 with winners including Christopher Esber, Albus Lumen and Macgraw.
“Now in its eighth year, we are delighted to be expanding our support of emerging Australian designers to include menswear, as well as continue the award’s sustainability considerations. This not only reflects our culture of inclusion and diversity, it aligns with Westpac Group’s recognition as Australia’s most sustainable bank, ranked by the global 2019 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. We look forward to showcasing some of Australia’s talented designers seeking to build and grow their businesses,” said Westpac executive Cathy Yuncken.
Entries for the award are open from now until Monday 9 December 2019.
An expert panel of industry judges will then select three finalists, to be announced in February 2020. The three finalists will go on to present their collections at the Private Runway event on Wednesday 8 April 2020, alongside some of Australia’s top established designers.