Woolmark to host International Fashion Writing Competition

The 2014 International Fashion Writing Competition is currently open to writers aged 18 to 27 years old, promoting writing on fashion that is researched, insightful, critical, stylish and engaging. Entrants will compete in one of two categories: 18 to 21, and 22 to 27 years old (inclusive).

Modeconnect’s website outlines competition details, including requirements for the first round of entry. Each submission for Round 1 and Round 2 must be between 600 and 1000 words long and can include to a maximum of five visuals.

Successful first round candidates who are shortlisted for Round 2 will be required to submit a creative piece centred on wool. This text could be anything from a short story to a technical text or poetic writing. The approach should be individual and the central subject an object made with wool - a favourite garment for example - or a process involved in the manufacture or maintenance of woollen goods, from shearing to mending.

The Woolmark Company’s website is an excellent resource for this task and is full of information regarding the wool production pipeline, fashion design and the infinite benefits of wool. Another website by The Woolmark Company will allow you to explore the latest collections by some of the world’s leading fashion designers and see how wool is being used on today’s runways.

The jury includes eminent professionals with varied experiences of fashion writing, including:

Grace Eagle and Johannes Reponen, the editorial team of Address - journal for fashion criticism

Mark Atkinson, a fashion designer, author of How to Create your Final Collection and Modeconnect co-founder

Professor Catherine Harper, dean of the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Portsmouth

João Paulo Nunes a fashion journalist and the founder and editor of TheStyleExaminer.com

Modeconnect co-founder and fashion designer Mark Atkinson explains: “The fashion industry needs writers and commentators able to explain the work of designers and describe and analyse fashion products and trends. To tell a good story they have to understand the creative and making processes. Before they can consider themselves ‘fashion critiques,’ they must master those skills and gain this knowledge.”

Submissions for Round 1 close on Friday February 21, with the announcement of those shortlisted to compete in Round 2 occurring February 28.

The prizes

First prize in each age division is a five-week writing residency in London, with the opportunity to meet and interview one of The Woolmark Company’s illustrious fashion designer partners.

Each writing residency is timed so that the winner can cover Graduate fashion Week and New Designers (Age group 18 to 21: Residency, May 30 to July 5, 2014) or the London Fashion Week (Age group 22 to 27: Residency, August 17 to September 21, 2014). Travel to London is at the expense of the winners, with Central London accommodation provided.

Second prize is one day attending a Polly King & Co salon in New-York, Tokyo, London or Paris during the respective spring/summer 2015 Fashion Weeks. This is a unique opportunity to see and experience first-hand the collections a prestigious stable of designers. Cost and organisation of travel are the responsibility of the winner.

Woolmark