The Young Creative Entrepreneur – Design and Fashion award finds the brightest stars in the world of international design and fashion, recognising the importance of entrepreneurs in driving forward the design and fashion industries, developing their independent sector and representing the best of what’s going on in their local scene.   Since 2005 90 young design and fashion entrepreneurs from more than 40 countries have taken part in the programme, building an active alumni network in the process, seeing the creation of new collaborations and business, co-designed lines/collections, increased profiles and participation at international design festivals and fashion weeks in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, and more.

In 2012 national winners will be selected in countries around the world who will participate in a shared programme in the UK with valuable networking and idea exchange with their international and UK peers in the design and fashion sectors. The UK tour will run alongside London Design Festival and London Fashion Week industry events in September 2012.

• Architecture, interiors and environment
• Product design manufacture: furniture, industrial products and craft
• Fashion, textile, accessories or perfume design and production
• Design and fashion promotion: shows, exhibitions, festivals, events
• Design and fashion retail: buying, merchandising
• Design and fashion product research, sourcing, supply chain management
• Design and fashion marketing, PR, branding, communications, journalism, publishing

Candidates must

• Be aged between 21 and 40 at the date applications are due
• Already work in the design and fashion sector (as above) with at least three years experience
• Be entrepreneurial and have shown their ability in the promotion and development of the design and fashion sector in their country, in either a commercial context, public context, or both
• Through their character, drive and abilities, demonstrate their potential as a future leader of the sector and a partner for the UK – which would see further work between your country and the UK
• Have English language skills

To showcase and gain recognition of your individual achievement and potential

To promote Slovak design and fashion industry to an international market

To take part in a wide range of business networking opportunities in the UK

Download the application form

Make sure you enclose the following with your application form:

• a passport size photograph,
• portfolio of your successfully realised projects,
• any other relevant documents or information.

Return the completed application form first by e-mail and then by post by 19^th of June to:

yce@britishcouncil.sk
YCE Design & Fashion Award
British Council
Panská 17
811 01 Bratislava

Clearly mark your application envelope with ‘YCE Award’.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.  Interviews are expected to take place between 25–27 June 2012, date tbc.

In September 2012 the finalists from participating countries will participate in a visit in the UK, where they will take part in valuable networking both with key UK design and fashion sector partners and amongst their peers. The tour will comprise visits, meetings, seminars and events. It will also include a masterclass with an internationally renowned UK fashion and design sector entrepreneur.

For more information please contact Katarina Martinkova.