Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore recognises the importance of a platform for young and  upcoming local fashion designers to showcase their talent. Which is why, along with its regional counterparts from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, it initiated the regional competition, the Harper’s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award—to scope for new talent and promote creativity alongside creating the opportunity for continued learning by forging a partnership with the internationally renowned fashion design school, Istituto Marangoni. For the third year running, and pegging on the success of its previous editions, the Harper’s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award competition continues its search for the next wave of emerging designers in Asia for the year 2015 – 2016.

This year’s Singapore edition, which took place earlier this year, saw the emergence of three very promising young Singapore talents: Silvia Teh, Lionel Low and Benjamin Neo, who went on to compete in the regional level that effectuated during Singapore Fashion Week (SGFW) in May. In conjunction with the contest, Harper’s BAZAAR Singaporehosted a series of events including mentoring sessions by top names in the fashion industry such as Editor-in-Chief, Kenneth Goh, and Senior Fashion Editor, Windy Aulia, of Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore; Singapore designer Thomas Wee; and Founder of online e-retailer Inverted Edge, Debra Langley, as well as an opportunity for the three finalist designers to showcase their collection for three weeks in one of Singapore’s renowned fashion malls, Scotts Square.

The regional winners were announced post a finale runway show, where the 10 talented finalists from the five countries showcased their winning collections to an audience of almost 700 guests. It was an exciting win for Singapore finalist, Silvia Teh, who walked away with a scholarship for a master’s programme in Fashion and Luxury Brand Management at the renowned Istituto Marangoni. She also received a $10,000 cash sponsorship from Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore.

With the buzz and excitement from the 2014 – 2015 edition having hardly abated, Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore has for the upcoming third edition, lined up additional tie-ups and sponsorships from Istituto Marangoni, extending not only a Master’s degree in Fashion Luxury Management in London or Milan for the regional winner, but also a three-week course sponsorship for its first and second-runner up. This year, the winners will also be able to select a course of their preference at the institute, the choice being between: Accessories Design in Milan; Fashion Business in Paris; and Fashion Styling in London, each worth over $5,800.

Here’s what entrants can look forward to for Harper’s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award 2015 – 2016:

Work with the Professionals:  

Entrants will get the chance to be mentored by some of the top names in fashion in the region, including Editor-in-Chief, Kenneth Goh, and Senior Fashion Editor, Windy Aulia, of Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore; Founder of Inverted Edge, Debra Langley; and Creative Director of Braun Büffel, Damiano Bella.

The top 10 finalists in Singapore will get a rare one-on-one session with the mentors to talk about their inspiration, their ideas and their designs. It’s a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and get valuable feedback on your work.

Overseas Education in Europe:   

The winning designer will be sponsored for a Master’s Degree in Fashion and Luxury Brand Management at the prestigious Instituto Marangoni in London for 15 months, worth GBP26,700 (Approx. $56,430).

In addition, the first and second runner-up will also receive a three-week long crash course worth 3,800 EURO (Approx. $5,800) in either: Accessories Design/Milan Design Campus, Fashion Business/Paris Campus or Fashion Styling/London Campus.

Holiday Stay for Singapore winners:  

The top two Singapore finalists will get the opportunity to stay at the luxurious Alila Seminyak, Bali, which will be newly launched end 2015. The Singapore winner will get a 5D4N stay in its Alila Ocean Suite, including breakfast for two, return airport transfers and spa treatments for two worth USD6,000 (Approx. $8,081). The runner-up will get a 3D2N stay at the Deluxe Garden Suite including breakfast for two and return airport transfers worth USD4,000 (Approx. $5,388).

Opportunity to get published in an International Magazine:  

The winner and runners-up of the Singapore edition will get an opportunity get featured in Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore to share their designs and collection. The ultimate winner of the regional competition will also get his or her works published in all five editions of Harper’s BAZAAR (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam).

 

COMPETITION DETAILS 

Objectives 

To recognise the importance of a platform for the next generation of fashion designers to showcase their work. Conducted in partnership with its Asian counterparts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore aims to encourage and promote creativity and create the opportunity for continued learning with its tie-up with internationally renowned fashion design school Istituto Marangoni, with this regional competition.

 

Eligibility 

Participants must be:

1. Graduating fashion design students, practicing or aspiring designers

2. Singaporean or residing in Singapore

 

Entry Details 

The winner will be judged on his or her creativity, originality, commercial viability and technical ability to produce work that is on par with Harper’s BAZAAR standards. Participants are to include either hand-drawn sketches or web illustrations. Limited to one entry per person for the 2015 – 2016 contest period.

 

Each entry must include: 

1. Twelve sketches for spring/summer ready-to-wear 2016 suitable for womenswear

2. Official application form, which can be downloaded from the competition website: www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/

3. Fabric swatches for the proposed designs and relevant mood boards

4. Curriculum vitae

Guidelines 

Each entry submitted must also adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Works submitted should be of original content. No portion of the entry should be copied in whole or in part from any other work that is not the entrant’s own.

2. Entries must be in a commercially viable fabric that can be dry-cleaned.

3. Submitted designs should not have been previously published or entered into any competition or contest or won any award prior to submission to this contest.

Harper’s BAZAAR reserves all the rights to use images and submissions to promote the designers and the competition in all media thereafter for perpetuity. The final panel of judges will comprise the Editors from Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

Submissions: 

Entries can be delivered to the SPHM Office at #03-01A/B Concorde Shopping Centre, 317 Outram Road, Singapore 169075 between Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.  

If you have any enquiries pertaining to the competition, please contact the marketing department at bazaar@sph.com.sg

 

CLOSING DATE: 6 NOVEMBER 2015 

Selection Process:  

STAGE 1 – RECRUITMENT  

All candidates are required to submit hard copies of their completed forms and sketches to SPHM Office. The jury committee will shortlist the top five out of the applicants.

The jury committee is made up of the following persons:

1. Kenneth Goh, Editor-in Chief, Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore

2. Windy Aulia, Senior Fashion Editor, Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore

3. Debra Langley, Founder of Inverted Edge

4. Damiano Biella, Creative Director of Braun Büffel

5. Thomas Wee, Singapore Fashion Designer

STAGE 2 – MEET & GREET THE MENTORS  

• The top five finalists will be contacted by Harper’s BAZAAR’s marketing team, and invited to a one-on-one meet-up session with the jury committee in November 2015.
• During the meet-up, the finalists are required to present their collections and brand concept. The jury committee will then shortlist five looks out of the 12 sketches submitted by each finalist.
• Finalists will be given three and a half weeks to create toiles of these looks.

STAGE 3 – TOILE DISCUSSION 

• The top five finalists will be invited back in December to show the jury committee their toiles.
• The jury committee will also discuss with each finalist on the design and technicality of their collection pieces.
• Finalists will be given six weeks to work on their final five looks.

STAGE 4 – COLLECTION DISCUSSION  

• The five finalists will be invited back in January 2015 to show their final five looks.
• The jury committee will then pick the top three finalists who will move on to the semi-finals of the local edition of the competition.

STAGE 5 – LOCAL JUDGING SESSION  

The top three will present their collection to the jury committee and invited guests at an external venue. The finalists will be tested on their business plan and technical ability, and the creativity and commercial viability of their designs. The jury will subsequently pick the top two finalists who will move on to the final stage of the competition—at the regional level.

FINAL STAGE OF THE COMPETITION  

The regional heats will take place and all 10 regional finalists will compete at one venue. The jury committee is made up of the following persons:

1. Kenneth Goh, Editor-in Chief, Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore

2. Duang Poshayonda, Editor-in Chief, Harper’s BAZAAR Thailand

3. Natasha Kraal, Editor-in Chief, Harper’s BAZAAR Malaysia

4. Pham Ngoc Luu Uyen, Managing Editor, Harper’s BAZAAR Vietnam

5. Ria Lirungan, Editor-in Chief, Harper’s BAZAAR Indonesia

6. Malcolm Mcinnes, Istituto Marangoni representative

The final winner will be picked by the point system. The jury’s deliberations will be kept secret.