Calling All Fashion Students: Giorgio Armani Wants You!

The fashion industry has some odd ways about it - like endorsing ridiculous body ideals but don't get me started - but one thing that I always have respect for is the platform and opportunities that it offers students.

Giorgio Armani is adding to the list of opportunities for British fashion students, launching a competition, the 'New Bond'. It coincides with Emporio Armani's new Bond Street store's opening and the brand's first show at London Fashion Week in September, with three lucky winners being selected to design a capsule collection for the brand's Spring/Summer 2018 line.

The competition's brief asks for ideas that "bring the essence of British style to [applicant's] interpretations of three iconic Emporio Armani signature models", giving them the choice between outerwear, bags, and footwear as their specialist product categories.

The man himself will be judging all submissions, selecting his favourite design across each category and putting them into production in the UK for sale in store and on Emporio Armani's website. If that prize isn't enough, each winner will also then spend three months working with the design team at Armani's Milan HQ, making the prize - and what it can do for the students' futures - even more incredible.

Talking about his reasoning behind the competition, Giorgio Armani said: “British design schools are among the most interesting in today’s arena. They produce unique talents, by encouraging the originality and individuality of each student. I believe that to be successful in fashion, creativity must go hand in hand with a pragmatic and realistic approach; I would like to use this initiative to encourage a dialogue between these two elements, giving the winners a useful opportunity to succeed and move forward in their careers.”

The competition is open to all students who attend schools within the BFC's Colleges Network. We think it's a wonderful initiative to help encourage, inspire and celebrate young people's talent!