Design, Make, Create competition launched

A COMPETITION to encourage start-up fashion designers has been launched by Ballinasloe October Fair and Festival.

Entitled Design, Make, Create, the competition has a prize fund of €15,000 and is also supported by local community organisations Ballinasloe Area Community Development and Rapid.
Entrants are asked to design and create two outfits, which will be modelled at a gala fashion evening in the Carlton Shearwater Hotel on Wednesday, October 6 during the week-long Ballinasloe Fair and Festival.
Irish Independent fashion editor Bairbre Power will team up with newly crowned Rose of Tralee, Clare Kambamettu and iRadio’s head of news and sport, Gráinne McMahon to select the winner, who will receive a year’s free studio space in Ballinasloe, plus €3,000. Business mentoring will be provided to the top three entrants, with the second and third prize winners prizes of €1,000 and €500 respectively.
Announcing the event, Kay Croffey, fashion event organiser, Ballinasloe Fair and Festival said the competition would support and encourage budding designers and give them a start in challenging times.
“The West of Ireland has produced some of the best-known names in the Irish fashion industry and people such as our own Philip Treacy and Joanne Hynes are an inspiration for designers of all ages,” she said.
“In the current economic environment, however, it can be very difficult for creativity to flourish. By taking away some of the financial worries of a first year in business, we hope that this competition will help give emerging designers a first step on the ladder to success,” concluded Ms Croffey.
Entry forms are available from Ballinasloe Fair and Festival Office on 085 1028685 or from ballinasloeenterprise@eircom.net.