SYDNEY: Emerging designers and fashion professionals look set to receive the recognition they deserve at a newly created awards ceremony.
Kicking off this May, the 2009 Fashion Palette Excellence Awards program was created specifically to celebrate the talents of emerging Australian designers, said Fashion Palette founder and director Sonya Mefaddi.
"Fashion Palette is about providing a platform like no other for the Australian fashion community, an opportunity to learn and be inspired from within by some of the world's leading fashion figures. I am thrilled to be supporting the next generation of fashion designers in their quest to realise their dreams. When personal vision is matched with opportunity, extraordinary things can happen," she said.
Judges including Peter Morrissey, Cathryn Wills of Mimco and Daniel Herman will award prizes in nine categories to include: Fashion Design, Textile Design, Footwear Design, Accessory Design, Fashion Illustration, Handbag Design, Swimwear Design, Fashion Photography and T-Shirt Design. There will also be a People’s Choice Award voted for by visitors to fashionpalette.com.au.
In addition to the awards, Fashion Palette will host two days of presentations from leading fashion figures, runway shows and an after party designed to offer networking opportunities and celebrate newly discovered talent.
"Fashion Palette is honoured to support the Australian fashion community. The annual Fashion Palette Awards create a platform that supports, recognises and celebrates the ongoing creativity and talent in the industry. We hope this recognition will enable up-and-coming designers to grow, gain exposure and be supported, while allowing their creativity to flourish," Mefaddi said.
Shortlisted entries will be published on March 23 on the Fashion Palette website at fashionpalette.com.au, with finalists and overall winners to be named at the Fashion Palette event on May 2 in Sydney.
Applications for the awards opened on January 12 and close on March 20 2009. For more, visit fashionpalette.com.au.