Society of Dyers and Colourists

KK Bespoke Schoolwear Competition 2012

Launch of a new competition open to fashion and textile design students and recent graduates in Ireland!

Email paulsantokhi@hotmail.com to register your interest and request an entry form. 

Fantastic prizes!

• £500 in cash for the winner.
• An opportunity for the winner to work with KK Bespoke Schoolwear on the preparation of samples and to work towards and attend the schoolwear show in Birmingham (Oct 2012).
• Cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd places.

Who is the competition open to?

• Undergraduate fashion and textile design students studying at colleges/universities in Ireland
• Recent fashion and textile design graduates (who graduated in summer 2011), who are living in Ireland.

Competition Brief

To design a collection of schoolwear garments that demonstrate innovation, creativity and a good understanding of performance fabrics.

SUB GROUPS

Choose from one of the following:

• 6th Form suits
• Girls skirts
• Girls tunics / summer dresses
• Girls coats / jackets

Here’s some more information about the sub groups:

6th Form suits

• A dress
• 2 jackets
• 2 styles of skirts
• 1 blouse

These garments are used by students between the ages of 16–18. The suits should be more corporate in design than the more traditional school uniform. The aim is to let the students appear more mature and senior than the rest of the school but with a strong identity, still associated with the school.
 
 

Girls skirts

• 3 junior styles (to fit ages 4-11)
• 3 senior styles (ages 11-16)

As hipster or “low waister” skirts are in vogue at the moment, we would like two styles to include “lower waister” designs.

Girls tunics / Summer dresses

• 3 styles of tunics / pinafores
• 3 styles of summer dresses

Designs must demonstrate contemporary design as well as being functional.

Girls coats / jacket

• 2 styles in wool coats
• 2 styles in shower proof jacket

Judging criteria

The designs must be suitable for the bespoke Schoolwear market and therefore demonstrate a good understanding of the following areas:

• Design - styling of garments must demonstrate practicality of fit for all shapes and sizes. Children (especially juniors) must demonstrate ease of movement and practicality of getting the garments off and on.
• Fabric performance - consideration should be given to the durability of fabrics, finishes, washing and handling care. These garments are worn five days a week, 40 weeks of the year!
• Fabrics - prints, fabrics and colours must demonstrate reliability of design.
• Colour - colour should be an integral part of the design and entries should show evidence of an understanding of colour.
• Styling – the designs must be commercially viable.

Submission guidelines

All entries must include the following:

• A story board for one of the sub-groups accompanied by fabric swatches wherever possible, and a brief description of the choice of design, colour and fabric.
• Practical, functional patterns for one design from any of the sub groups, (ie patterns for one garment).
• Evidence that you have an understanding of the bespoke schoolwear market and SDC activities.

Judging

All students will be invited to bring their story boards and have a five minute opportunity to explain their design process and source of inspiration. Students are encouraged to bring at least one finished garment, to demonstrate that they have capabilities and understand the process involved from concept to the finished garment. Fabric will be provided by KK Bespoke Schoolwear, as appropriate.

Timetable

• October 2011 – official competition launch
• 24 February 2012 – applications to enter received
• 22 March 2012 – Grand Final! Presentation of design boards and samples for judging (at Malone Lodge Hotel, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast)
• 23 March 2012 – Winner announced!

How to Enter:

Email paulsantokhi@hotmail.com to request an entry form or click here to submit a copy online – don’t forget to send it back by 24 February!