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DO YOU HAVE DESIGNER DREAMS?
Enter the 2011 Seamless in Seattle competition

If you’re a Project Runway fan, you’ll love Seamless in Seattle. We’re combing the city for the best up-and-coming fashion designers hungry to change the face of local fashion. This year, we’re offering the winners big prizes, such as the chance to launch their line at a premier fashion event. Entries must be received by FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2011
 
Click here to see last year’s winners!
 
THE CONTEST:
We are looking for the best up and coming clothing fashion designers in the state. Entries will be accepted in the following categories:
1)    Best Emerging Designers
2)    Best Student Designers
3)    Best Bridal Designer (winner will be featured in Seattle Bride)
 
THE REWARDS:

• The top ten finalists will be featured in the first Seamless in Seattle Fashion Show on June 8th, 2011.

• You and your work photographed professionally and featured in the full color pages of Seattle magazine’s September issue (or Seattle Bride magazine, for Best Bridal Designer)

• You will be featured at Fashion First fashion night in September with fellow winning designers, as well as possible exhibiting opportunities at Thaw and other local fashion events

• Prominent coverage on seattlemag.com or seattlebridemag.com

• Copy of judges’ notes on your collection for feedback
 
JUDGING CRITERIA:
Weighed as follows:
50% • Creativity and originality
20% • Wearability
20% • Workmanship
10% • Branding statements and execution—how well you know your market and whether you’ve filled their needs
 
ELIGIBILITY:
Emerging Designers and Bridal Designers
• Designers who produce or sell up to 2,500 pieces per year.
• Designs must be original.
• Designers must reside in Washington state.
• Designers currently enrolled as a student in a fashion academy or institution must graduate before July 1, 2011 in order to be eligible for emerging division.
 
Student Designers
• Current students of fashion academies or other schools with fashion design programs (designers who will not graduate before July 1, 2011 must enter the student division).
• Designers who do not have clothing carried at any shops yet or who have sold less than $2,000 of merchandise (wholesale) in the last two years in two or less shops.
• Designs must be original.
• Designers must reside in Washington state.
 
 
PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
1. No less than 10 but no more than 20 photos of your collection.
Present photos of your clothes, patterns, sketches, etc. on a Mac compatible CD. These don’t need to be professional but must be in focus and in color. Photo resolution should be 72 DPI, for web. (You must own the rights to any photos submitted or have photographer’s permission to reuse them publicly; submitting photos grants Seattle magazine permission to reuse them either in Seattle magazine or on seattlemag.com.)

2. An electronic word document with photo captions info for each garment.
Include detailed information (including fabric used) for each garment. Please label appropriately so we can determine which caption goes with a particular photo (for example, your first photo should correspond to your first caption, and be labeled). If there are multiple garments in a photo, please group all descriptions into a single caption for that photo.
 
3. An electronic and hard copy Word document that includes the following information:
• Please specify the design category for your submission (emerging or student designer, you may not enter both; please see above eligibility requirements for questions)
•  Your name, contact information, label name and a branding statement, briefly explaining your line, who your market is, what your differentiating factor is and how your designs meet the needs of your market
• Your label’s price point and desired vendors
 
4. A headshot of yourself for use on the web.

** Incomplete submissions, or applications not submitted in the requested format will not be considered.

WEB JUDGING: Your portfolio (including headshot, photos and branding statement submitted) will be posted online at seattlemag.com for our judging panel, which is comprised of local designers, fashion design instructors and select retailers. The portfolio will also be open for viewing for our online readers.
 
IF YOU ARE CALLED BACK FOR THE FINAL PRESENTATION (ON MAY 13):
Finalists will be notified no later than May 6, 2011 and will be called into our office to make a live presentation on May 13. You will be asked to make a 10 minute presentation in person with your clothes shown in the way you feel best shows your work—on hangers, on a model, on a dress form, etc. You will have to provide all props and models to display your clothing.

SEAMLESS IN SEATTLE FASHION SHOW (ON JUNE 8): All finalists will also be asked to participate in the Seamless in Seattle Fashion Show on June 8th at Seattle Art Museum. You will show three looks of your choice on the runway; models will be provided by Seattle magazine. Each designer will also be asked to a fourth look specifically for the show. A la Project Runway, you will be given a specific design challenge on the day of the live presentation, May 13. Fabric and/or budget will be provided by Seattle magazine. The predetermined 2011 winners will be revealed at the show, along with two awards deliberated and decided on the evening of the show, a “People’s Choice Award” and a “Challenge Winner” for the best challenge design.
 
DEADLINE: PORTFOLIOS ARE DUE BY APRIL 15, 2011
 
Send to:
Attn: Kate Calamusa
Seattle Magazine
1518 First Ave South, Suite 500
Seattle WA 98134
[email protected]
 
Please direct queries to:
Kate Calamusa
206.284.1750
[email protected]