Leading logistics firm DHL has revealed which three designers will go head to head later this month to win the 2012 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship.
The 2012 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship, which has previously helped local labels such as We Are Handsome and Bec & Bridge, will grant the winner a tailored export mentoring program.
The prize will also include an international freight package to the value of $10,000 from DHL Express, to assist the designer in taking their brand global.
Finalist labels An Ode to No One, Shona Joy and Kahlo were selected on a mix of their international exporting potential, domestic success, design aesthetics and sound expansion strategy.
The panel of judges, which chose the three finalists unanimously, include: IMG Fashion director, strategy & brand development Elle Persson, local designer Michael Lo Sordo, and head buyer Madeleine Allman from My-wardrobe.com.
Commenting on the final selection, Persson said: “While it was important for the finalists to have a strong design aesthetic it was equally important for us to consider how they would fare in the international market and whether their business was financially viable for global expansion.”
Allman added that each finalist displayed individual strengths that set them apart from other competitors.
“We had some amazing entrants to choose from but we could not beat the elegant, clean designs from An Ode to No One, the robust expansion strategy and domestic success of Shona Joy and the modern and trend setting potential of Kahlo.”
The 2012 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship winner will be announced on Monday, July 9.