Sri Lanka Fashion and Apparel Awards calls for applications

• Winners to visit London on an all expenses paid fashion industry tour

The Sri Lanka Fashion and Apparel Awards (SLFAA), a new and apt initiative by SLDF 2013, will be a continuation of SLDF’s celebration of uniquely Sri Lankan fashion and design. In the recent years,

Sri Lanka’s fashion industry has witnessed a boom with more and more local fashion labels, boutiques of handmade designer wear, runway shows and young, aspiring designers taking centre stage.

Recognised within the wider apparel industry for its sustainable approach to manufacturing, the Sri Lankan apparel industry’s evolution with the infusion of ‘design’ has resulted in a new generation of home-grown creative talent producing world class design work, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. As a result of this unique combination of high-tech and low-tech industries, Sri Lanka has a spectrum of design inspiration to offer the world.

The award invites both established and emerging businesses in the high-tech apparel industry and low-tech design industry to be a part of this prestigious event. SLFAA consists of nine categories for 2013, each of which have been created taking into consideration the entire apparel value chain based in Sri Lanka, giving each one an opportunity to submit a collection either alone or in collaboration with another party.

The Individual Designer Awards – Emerging Designer will recognise fashion’s most promising new design talent, Sustainable Fashion – fashion that ties creative flair with sustainability, Graduate-Industry Collaboration – fresh applicative research and development efforts bridging the gap between academia and the industry, Industry Designer Awards – Design Excellence – outstanding achievements in design, innovation and construction, Technical Excellence – technical proficiency in constructed apparel, Manufacturing Excellence – specialised products and accessories that really define a trend and excite the consumer, Best ‘Own-Brand’ and Game Changer Through Innovation – break-through game changing initiatives. 

The winners will be presented with a rare and educational opportunity to participate in an all expenses paid trip to London, one of the world’s leading fashion capitals. This tailor-made tour will include varied exposure covering meetings with retailers, buyers and designers as well as valuable networking opportunity with UK’s fashion and retail sector. This promises to be an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any fashion industry professional or aspiring fashion designer looking to broaden their horizons and engage closely with world’s top retailers, designers and buyers in the heart of London.

Eligible candidates may submit their entries from 15 May 2013 until the closing date of 10 July 2013. Following the first round of short-listing, the semi-finalists will be announced by contacting the applicants on or after 31 July 2013, after which the semi-finalists would be instructed to commence production of their collections.

The second short-listing will be conducted on 10 September 2013, where the judges will evaluate the collections submitted by the semi-finalists. At the conclusion of this round of short-listing, finalists will be announced by contacting the shortlisted candidate after 15 September 2013. Finalists will be invited to showcase their designs at the inaugural award ceremony on 13 October 2013 and the judging of winners will be carried out by an expert panel of international judges managed by British Council Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Fashion and Apparel Awards has been conceptualised and will be hosted by SLDF, managed in partnership with the British Council and Daily FT as the exclusive media partner. SLDF was conceptualised and founded by AOD, and is supported by MAS as the main sponsor, TradeCard – official software partner, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics – official freight and fashion logistics, Textured Jersey – official fabric partner and WGSN, Just Style and Inner Secrets – international media partners. For more information on applications and criteria please visit www.srilankafashionandapparelawards.com or contact the SLDF secretariat on 115867772. Applications close on the 10 July 2013.