Brother Design Stars designs on models at New Zealand Fashion Week 2016. Image supplied.
Brother Design Stars returns for its fourth year this year with the design competition giving more young creatives exciting opportunities to showcase their talents at the New Zealand Fashion Week Graduate Show, supported by Brother. The awards are free to enter with Brother Design Stars aimed at encouraging school years 7 to 13 to create designs that express their ideas and creativity. The winning designs not only get thousands of dollars but also watch their creations take to the runway at New Zealand Fashion Week 2017.
“We want to encourage youth to explore their talent at a young age,” says Emma Crossett, Brother International (NZ) Limited General Manager of Marketing. “Supporting New Zealand’s next generation of creatives is one way Brother can give back to the community. Our partnership with NZ Fashion Week builds on this, so we can applaud this talent on a global stage and give winners an experience that inspires their career development”.
The Supreme winner for 2016 was Sophie Parsons whose winning design was inspired by the Greenlandic Inuit. Parsons had an exciting NZFW experience meeting designers, tutors and fashion graduates before being given her award live on the NZFW runway.
2016 Supreme winner Sophie Parsons (right) on the NZFW runway with a model in her winning design. Image supplied.
“Last year’s launch of the Graduate Show was a real coup for young emerging talent in New Zealand,” says Dame Pieter Stewart, Director of New Zealand Fashion Week. “Having Brother sponsor this show and introduce Brother Design Stars as the youngest talent at Fashion Week, builds on our desire to support and grow top young talent. Providing a platform through their early steps will hopefully help them become established designers in the local and international market.”
Brother Design Stars’s design theme for 2017 is ‘Steal the Show’ with young talent encouraged to enter a design that stands out from the crowd. The theme runs across both categories; Brother Design Stars Craft Award and Brother Design Stars Fashion Award. These are split into two age groups – school years 7 to 9 and 10 to 13. Each entrant must create a runway-ready fashion item or complete outfit to enter the competition.
The Brother Design Stars Craft Award asks entrants to design and assemble a statement hat or headpiece. This category will appeal to those with an interest in DIY, decorating, craft and who love experimenting with different materials – glue gun and all. Award winners in each category will travel to Auckland to watch the show and enjoy exclusive backstage access as Brother VIPs at New Zealand Fashion Week. Return flights to Auckland and one night’s accommodation will be included for each category winner and a guardian/parent.
We asked one of the 2017 judges, Abby Holland, a few questions about the competition:
How did you get involved in Brother Designs Stars and what does being a judge mean to you?
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to judge ‘Brother Design Stars’ after recently becoming the Designer of COOP. I am very excited to be involved in this rewarding competition. It is awesome to see the young talent coming through and their excitement towards the industry.
What will you be looking for in the entrants work when it comes to judging time?
I will be keeping an eye out for young designers who are pushing the boundaries, showcasing fresh and inspired ideas and who are not afraid to express their creativity.
What’s your favourite thing about working with young talent?
I love working with young talent as I enjoy helping them grow and learn. I can reflect on myself when I was younger, with the dream of being involved in the fashion industry. It is always inspiring to see their excitement and how eager they are to learn.
What are your top tips for those who are entering the competition?
Follow your inspiration and don’t be shy to try something new. There can be a lot of repetition in fashion, so push the boundaries and step outside of your comfort zone. Fresh designs are always the most exciting.
Registrations for Brother Design Stars are open now and close Friday 7 July 2017. Entrants must register online at on the Brother Design Stars website. All physical entries must be received for judging by 5pm Friday 14 July 2017. Winners will be announced in August. Best of luck to all the 2017 entrants.