DIY with IOU: global independent design competition

Here is an article published by NICE at http://nicefashion.org/en/news/competition.html.
Hope you will find it interesting!

The IOU Project and Source4Style launch global independent design competition, where the goal is to find the next designer for a cutting edge label's capsule collection.
Source4Style, an online B2B marketplace connecting designers directly to sustainable material suppliers around the globe and The IOU Project, an innovative fashion label connecting consumers directly to artisan-producers announce DIY with IOU - a sustainable design competition to find the next designer for The IOU Project “Made in NYC” Capsule Collection.
The winning design will also be featured on an exclusive sale on Fab.com and through a trunk show at ABC Carpet & Home.
“We are excited to be joining forces with The IOU Project to raise the profile of sustainable sourcing and design in the fashion industry,” says Summer Rayne Oakes, co-founder of Source4Style. “IOWEYOU and Source4Style have a shared vision of opening up the transparency of fashion supply chains,” adds Kavita Parmar, co-founder of The IOU Project. “The question of where are your clothes made and under what conditions are increasingly relevant. This contest is a fashion-forward way to bring attention to the growing sustainable fashion movement.”

The competition is open to designers around the world. Designers of all levels can enter on Source4Style’s site from February 1st through February 24th, 2012. The entry fee is $100 and includes an annual Premium Level Membership - normally priced at $350 - on Source4Style. Designers can sign up via http://marketplace.source4style.com/signup and use discount code IOU at checkout. Premium Level Members for Source4Style can enter for free. Once a member, designers can submit their portfolio for consideration via Source4Style’s Twitter account or via email.

“The whole process will be documented and shared to the community,” says Benita Singh, co-founder of Source4Style. “And we’ll feature IOU’s traceable materials for sale to all of our members after the competition.” Five finalists will be chosen on February 28th, 2012 by a panel of judges including, Benita Singh and Summer Rayne Oakes (co-founders, Source4Style), Kavita Parmar (Designer, The IOU Project), Vivian Weng (Director of Fashion, Fab.com), Alysia Reiner (Actress), Izabella Miko (Actress), VV Brown (Singer/Songwriter), Erica Domesek (Founder, PS I Made This), Kate Dillon (Model) and Erica Wolf (Save the Garment Center). The finalists will then receive 8 meters of unique and traceable madras cotton from IOU to produce a single garment or accessory for women, men or unisex for Spring/Summer 2013.

The winning product from DIY with IOU, announced on March 29, 2012, will be produced as part of the IOU Project’s “Made in NYC” Capsule Collection, showcased at a trunk show hosted by ABC Carpet & Home, and sold on Fab.com. Profits from the sale of the design will be shared with the winning designer. As part of an ongoing project to raise awareness about transparency, sustainable sourcing and local production, final designs will be produced in New York City’s garment district through the Save the Garment Center and Made in NYC.

For more information about the competition, visit source4style.com.
Contact: Source4Style, info@source4style.com,

About Source4Style
Source4Style is the premiere B2B online marketplace that connects designers directly to sustainable material suppliers around the globe. Co-founded by Summer Rayne Oakes and Benita Singh, the platform services designers in over 70 countries and sources in 24 countries around the world. www.source4style.com.

About The IOU Project
The IOU Project is an e-commerce initiative that offers fashion conscious consumers a very distinct platform for online shopping; one which not only enhances the online experience by linking end buyers with artisan-producers, but also draws upon the most compelling aspects of social media to construct a community around its core brand values: authenticity, transparency, uniqueness and both social and environmental responsibility. www.theiouproject.com