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Beginning Thursday, January 19th 2009, emerging fashion designers worldwide will be given the opportunity to submit their work for Gen Art's Styles 2009: International Design Competition. The finalists from these submissions will be given the chance to present their looks at a high profile New York runway show in May and vie for a cash award in five categories. This groundbreaking competition has launched the careers of countless up-and-coming designers, including Peter Som, Rodarte, Cloak, Sari Gueron, Duckie Brown and Lulu Frost, amongst others.
A progressive program that provides a platform for emerging talent, Gen Art Styles encourages young designers to submit their work in any of the five categories including Women's Ready to Wear, Eveningwear, Avant-garde, Menswear and Accessories. Student designers as well as aspiring talent who have been designing under their own name for seven years or less, are all eligible for entry. A selection committee comprised of top influential market editors, stylists, and buyers will review all submissions at a pre-screening event in early April 2009.
Five finalists in each of the five categories will be invited to participate in Styles on May 7th, 2009 in New York City, showcasing their designs in front of over 1500 industry tastemakers and consumers. A fashion panel of industry professionals will judge their presentations and select a winner from each category who will then be presented with a $5,000 Award for Design Excellence. Past panels have included Diane von Furstenberg, Norma Kamali, Betsey Johnson, Cynthia Rowley, Kate Spade, Julie Gilhart, Ruben Toledo and stylist Patricia Field.
The deadline for this year's submissions is Tuesday, March 17th 2009. Designers who wish to submit for this year's competition should visit http://www.discover.genart.org where they can complete the online application. All contestants must also submit images of two complete looks in any of the five categories listed as well pay a $25.00 entry fee.
ABOUT GEN ART
Gen Art will celebrate their 15th anniversary in 2009 and is the nation's leading arts and entertainment organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the best emerging talent in fashion, film, music and the visual arts. Created to propel the careers of up-and-coming fashion and accessories designers, Gen Art's fashion events have been a successful launch pad for big names, including Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Chaiken, Rodarte, Sari Gueron, Katy Rodriguez, Geren Ford, Philip Lim, Eugenia Kim, Twinkle by Wenlan, Michelle Mason, Raf, Louis Verdad, Milly, Hollywould, and Shoshanna.