DESIGNER QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must:
There are no age restrictions or required experience for the Emerging Designer Competition applicants. Applicants 18 years of age and under, will need parental/guardian permission to apply.
Additional qualifications:
1. A designer must meet one or more of the following:
3. Designer must be a legal resident of the United States.
4. If under 18 years of age, designer must have parental permission and have a parent or legal guardian sign a waiver to participate if chosen as a Semifinalist.
SAMPLE IMAGES OR SKETCHES
WHAT SEASON SHOULD MY COLLECTION FOCUS ON?
HOW MANY LOOKS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN MY COLLECTION?
DO MY DESIGNS HAVE TO BE SEWN BY ME, OR AM I PERMITTED TO HAVE A SEAMSTRESS OR MANUFACTURER PRODUCE MY COLLECTION?
IF SELECTED AS A FASHION DESIGNER, WHEN AND HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
IS THERE A FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE AS A DESIGNER WITH COLAFW?
IF SELECTED FOR THE 2019 EMERGING DESIGNER COMPETITION WHAT TIME COMMITMENT WILL BE REQUIRED?
HOW WILL I CREATE MY RUNWAY SHOW (CHOOSE MODELS, MUSIC, HAIR/MAKEUP LOOKS, SHOES, ETC.)?
CAN I USE MY OWN MODELS FOR THE RUNWAY SHOW?
DO EMERGING DESIGNERS RECEIVE TICKETS TO COLUMBIA FASHION WEEK?
Applicants must:
- Submit an online application with details about the collection you would show,
- Uploading sample image or sketches of current or prior collections
- Must have one year of design experience or can show experience with handling quality fabrics
- Must have an active social media or business website presence
- If selected, Designer must pay 50% non-refundable deposit and remaining balance 30 days from showcase.
There are no age restrictions or required experience for the Emerging Designer Competition applicants. Applicants 18 years of age and under, will need parental/guardian permission to apply.
Additional qualifications:
1. A designer must meet one or more of the following:
- Previously studied or currently be studying at a fashion program, and/or work under a recognizable designer.
- Have a design business for a minimum of one year.
- Demonstrate experience with fabric and/or textiles over a number of seasons and consistently produce high quality garments.
3. Designer must be a legal resident of the United States.
4. If under 18 years of age, designer must have parental permission and have a parent or legal guardian sign a waiver to participate if chosen as a Semifinalist.
SAMPLE IMAGES OR SKETCHES
- Designers must submit a collection of sketches or images of the five (5) garments or pieces to be featured in the proposed collection at Columbia Fashion Week or of a prior collection.
- Images need to be of professional quality and on a model or mannequin.
WHAT SEASON SHOULD MY COLLECTION FOCUS ON?
- We encourage collections reflect next season; however, this is left up to the sole discretion of each Designer.
HOW MANY LOOKS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN MY COLLECTION?
- Each Designer must showcase between 10-15 looks. No additional pieces to exceed 15 designs can be shown to ensure effective timing of runway showcases.
DO MY DESIGNS HAVE TO BE SEWN BY ME, OR AM I PERMITTED TO HAVE A SEAMSTRESS OR MANUFACTURER PRODUCE MY COLLECTION?
- The Designer is allowed to work with a seamstress or manufacturer, as long as the designs are your own.
IF SELECTED AS A FASHION DESIGNER, WHEN AND HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
- Designer will be notified within 72 hours of application being received, as long as all information submitted is accurate. Designers must confirm acceptance on the runway within 72 hours of selection before runway spot becomes available.
IS THERE A FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE AS A DESIGNER WITH COLAFW?
- Designer Package registration fee: $300 which includes a one year membership into the COLAW Alliance.
- Designer will be responsible for all costs associated with designing/creating looks for the collection – shoes, accessories, and any special hair and makeup pieces used for the show.
- Designers are also responsible for their own travel to/from Columbia, SC (see details below), transporting their collection, and meals.
IF SELECTED FOR THE 2019 EMERGING DESIGNER COMPETITION WHAT TIME COMMITMENT WILL BE REQUIRED?
- We encourage Designers to attend the following, but not required:
- Model Rehearsals & Workshop (TBD) - this allows time to meet models, perform final fittings, answer any production questions, discuss hair and makeup, music, etc...
- Event Rehearsal (normally day of)
HOW WILL I CREATE MY RUNWAY SHOW (CHOOSE MODELS, MUSIC, HAIR/MAKEUP LOOKS, SHOES, ETC.)?
- Columbia Fashion Week produces the runway show and coordinates with designers. COLAFW will provide models and hair/makeup direction. The runway, lighting, video, sound and show production are at the sole discretion of COLAFW. Designers are responsible for the collection designs, shoes, accessories, and any approved special hair or makeup pieces.
CAN I USE MY OWN MODELS FOR THE RUNWAY SHOW?
- Yes, Designers can bring in their own models; however, models must still pay to register and attend model rehearsals. Models can opt to be included model look book for the opportunity to be chose by other designers.
DO EMERGING DESIGNERS RECEIVE TICKETS TO COLUMBIA FASHION WEEK?
- Each Designer will receive:
- (1) ticket to our COLAFW kick-off event during our Summer Fashion Week.
- Designers are encouraged to attend different events during fashion week to network and experience a time off the runway.