Emerging Fashion Designers: Deadline to Apply for Mercedes Benz Start Up is Monday

During recent Fashion Weeks, we have covered the Mercedes-Benz Start Up, Canada’s ongoing program for emerging fashion designers that puts them and their creations into the spotlight during World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto. This Monday, June 17th, is the deadline to apply for the Toronto/Kitchener stop of the cross-country search for Canada’s hottest young talent in fashion design.   

After they apply, designers will meet with the panel of judges in Toronto on July 10th to showcase their business plans and collections, then a group of up to five designers will be chosen to show at an exclusive runway show on July 11th at Mercedes-Benz Kitchener. From there, one designer will be selected to join other designers from this year’s nationwide search in a group runway show at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto in October, which will also feature the finalists from Calgary, Laval and Winnipeg. 

Similar to past seasons, this year’s finalists will be mentored by successful fashion industry professionals as they prepare for the final runway show at World MasterCard Fashion Week. From there, the selected awarded designer will be featured in FASHION  Magazine, and he or she will also receive intensive mentoring from industry leaders leading up to their own solo runway show at the Fall 2014 Collections in March 2014.? 

To be eligible to participate, designers must have a registered Canadian business that has been operating for less than five years, and they need to have sold to market at minimum one commercial collection. Again, designers interested in showcasing their talent in Toronto/Kitchener have until Monday, June 17 to apply online

Designers interested in applying are encouraged to visit www.mercedes-benzstartup.com for application details and requirements.