American Fashion Week

We're lucky enough to have a few Aussies over at our U.K. fashion blog Catwalk Queen, and they've been keeping an eye on Australian Fashion Week for us.

One big story is that of Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr, who has already been hailed a role model by her peers.

"She is thin, but she's healthy and she's writing a book with her mum to help other girls overcome problems with body image," said Aussie Vogue editor, Kristie Clements.

Meanwhile on the catwalk, siblings Camilla & Marc (above, left) brought down the house with a sexy and slick show, featuring an emphasis on nipping everything at the waist.

Swimwear sensation Zimmerman, turned our attentions to long slouchy trousers and tulip skirts. And after a five-year hiatus, New Zealand designer Kate Sylvester marked her long-awaited return to Sydney with a fun and quirky collection that didn't disappoint. Titled Royally Screwed, Sylvester's homage to the rat pack of the royal family, brought high end pieces down to a more casual level.

Call For Entry: “el Botón” MANGO Fashion Awards

The “el Botón”- MANGO Fashion Awards offer young designers throughout the world the opportunity to participate in an international Fashion Design competition.

The competition, which takes place every 18 months, has the support of five of the most important Fashion Design Schools in Europe. The aim of this event is to give young fashion designers access to a new media platform, as well as the opportunity to market their collections.

If you turn to be one of the ten finalists among thousands of participants around the world, you will opt for the €300,000 prize.

The five Fashion Design Schools acting as co-organizers are: Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design (London); Escola Superior de Disseny, ESDi (Barcelona); Institut Français de la Mode (Paris); Istituto Marangoni (Milan-Paris-London); and Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten van Antwerpen (The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp).

These schools will form part of the First Jury, which will shortlist the 10 finalists out of the 50 candidates previously selected by the MANGO Committee.

The admission of applications will start on 1 May 2008 and will be close on 31 July 2008.

The official language of the competition is English, so all texts you submit must be written in this language. Applications not fulfilling all the required information will not be admitted to the competition. The following information and material can only be presented in paper format and should not exceed 20 A4 sheets (apart from DVDs, look books, press books, etc.):

1. Application form and supporting information

- Official application form. Download here.
- Curriculum Vitae (no photo required): maximum 2 sides of A4 paper.
- A motivation letter: you must state your reasons for entering the competition and your plans for the future in the design industry (300 words max.).

2. Evidence of previous work as a practising designer

- Evidence of having designed two previous women’s wear commercial collections by means of photographs, film, look-books, collection books (with fabrics, colour samples and technical drawings), press cuttings (copies), or any other firm proof. A total of at least 10 outfits from each collection should be included.
- Some artistic sketches from these collections and a collection book.
- A short written description of each collection, the date of the collection and their inspiration (300 words max.).

3. New design work

- A draft of 10 outfits of women’s wear for Autumn/Winter ’09 which you would present for the final of the competition.
- A signed statement certifying that you hold all the rights over the designs presented and that no limitation and/or encumbrance to said rights exist.