Applications for the 2017 BT Emerging Fashion Award are now open.
The winning designer will receive a prize pool valued at over $50,000 including a $10,000 cash from BT Financial Group; accounting and business advisory services for one year; two return flights to New York on behalf of Qantas; and access to Toni & Guy Australia's national artistic team across a range of creative projects.
2017 marks the fifth year of the initiative which has acknowledged some of Australia's most sought after design talent.
Previous recipients of the award include sister-duo Beth and Tess Macgraw (Macgraw), Emma Mulholland, Michael Lo Sordo and Christopher Esber.
Australian Fashion Chamber (AFC) GM Courtney Miller believes the initiative and similar schemes are integral to building business for emerging designers.
“We know how important it is for designers to understand the financial side of their business and the BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award is the perfect example of this opportunity.”
The panel of judges that will decide the 2017 recipient of the award include Vogue Australia editor-in-chief and AFC chairwoman Edwina McCann; Westpac executive Rebecca Lim; Whitehouse Institute of Design Australia founder Leanne Whitehouse; and Lee Mathews (founder and designer of his namesake label).
Entry is open to Australian fashion designers who have been in business for less than seven years with an annual turnover under $2 million.
Finalists will be announced in March 2017.