Seduce is marking its 20th year in business by throwing its weight behind an initiative to support up-and-coming designers.
The womenswear retailer, with 17 stores across Australia, has partnered with liqueur brand Chambord for the 2011 Chambord Shine Awards. The annual program, now in its fourth year, recognises emerging Australian fashion designers.
This year, organisers are looking for experienced Australian designers with their own labels “who are looking to reach and expand their customer base”. Entrants will be whittled down to five finalists, each of whom will receive $1000 and the opportunity to create two cocktail dresses for Seduce's target market.
The finalists will present their designs to a 50 person panel in July with the selected winner to have their dress manufactured and sold in Seduce stores nationally. The designer will receive payment for the sales as well as be mentored by the Seduce team on design, manufacturing and visual merchandising.
Seduce national marketing manager Kat Robinson said the partnership with the Chambord Shine Awards would help the fast fashion retailer remain innovative.
“Our partnership with Chambord to help mentor and produce a young Australian designer's vision will be a delight to the entire company,” Robinson said.
Past winners of the Chambord Shine Awards include womenswear designer Carl Kapp, who opened his own retail store in 2009, and men's, women's and accessories label Limedrop, based in Melbourne.
Entries for the Chambord Shine Awards close Friday May 27. For more: www.chambordshineawards.com.au