Sustainable fashion design contest open for entries

Andrea Bury FRSA is founder of ABURY, a Berlin based fashion label that focuses on creative skills to inspire change. They have just launched the second edition of the ABURY Design Experience, the first global contest that brings together avant-garde and tradition.

Presented by Harper’s Bazaar and recognised by the German UNESCO Commission as being an innovative approach to preserving immaterial world cultural heritage, the competition sends an emerging designer to a craft community, where they get a grant to live and work for two months in the country and create a collection with artisans 

This one-of-its-kind contest is supported again by a prestigious jury of isnternational professionals of the luxury fashion, lifestyle and sustainability world. Supermodel and designer Eva Padberg joined the panel this year and said: 

“The ABURY Design Experience is a unique way for young designers to broaden their horizons and find, not only new inspiration, but also the opportunity to create their own voice. Working with traditional ways of craftsmanship and thinking on a more sustainable level, is exactly what fashion should be moving towards.”  

How does it work? 

Applications are now open until 20 March 2016. Participants should be 23 years old and above and have graduated within the last five years. The partner country for 2016 is Morocco and a designer will be spending up to two months in Marrakesh, creating an accessory capsule collection with local artisans. The collection will be marketed and sold under the name of ABURY and the designer, and 50% of the profits will be re-invested in education projects in Morocco. 

Harper’s Bazaar Germany and ABURY will select up to twenty designers for the semi-finals. Through a public vote, five finalists will be defined. The winner will then be chosen by the prestigious international jury panel.

Full details can be found on their website or their micropublication.