*Some people are very critical of the fashion awards. They say that popular competitions and award shows are mostly a conduit for top-tier designers’ egos. During these events, organizers emphasized famous brands and models, often neglecting minor creators.
While the emphasis will always be on the bigger names, we can’t neglect the fact fashion awards helped so many up-and-coming designers. Unlike trophies, which we use for best performers, just about anyone can win a fashion award. This is because the ranking system is based on first impressions and other intangibles.
In other words, these events put everyone on the same playing field. Even if your dresses didn’t dazzle the audience, they might’ve ranked high among judges. So, there’s always an incentive to participate!
Biggest Benefits for Designers
Most designers we know love fashion awards. These events allow you to measure your work against the biggest names in the industry. They’re incredibly fantastic for competitive creators who want to receive acknowledgment from the wider public.
That said, below are the biggest fashion show benefits for designers.
● Extra Publicity
You can never get enough positive publicity! So, if you win a fashion show, you can rest assured your phone will be ringing for several days without end. The extra coverage will put eyes on your brand, which is vital for small businesses but can also assist big ones.
● Increased Reputation
The general public will see you in a different light when you receive a stamp of approval from a credible jury. People often neglect the power of credibility and its impact on your business’ growth. Not only will your outfits become popular among large audiences, but you’ll also be able to charge higher for them.
Among other things, clothes made by reputable brands are usually seen as long-lasting. Even though this isn’t always true, we have a prejudice that these dresses will be made of sturdier materials, making them a smart purchase.
● Financial Support
The reason why many small designers never scale up is because they lack financial resources. Fashion is a dog-eat-dog world where companies are always looking to reduce their expenses while improving their marketing. So, even if you have much better products than some of your competitors, you might fall by the wayside just because you lack financial acumen.
Fashion awards provide a tangible benefit for creators by putting them in touch with large investors. What’s even better, you don’t even have to win the first prize to be considered a potential partner. Besides offering funds to grow your business, these investors might provide you with scholarships and other perks.
Getting the Most Out of Fashion Events
Although all of this sounds great on paper, you must bring your A-game to the show. At the venue, you’ll be able to show your creativity, talent, and long-term vision. That being said, below are the things that will help you shine on the big stage.
● Learn the Rules
If you wish to have any chance of winning, you need to start by getting acquainted with the rules and requirements. Specifically, you must understand what juries are looking for and what’s selling at the moment. In the end, these events serve to assess your ability to cooperate with potential partners.
We also recommend you learn about fees, deadliness, and submission requirements. Check how many outfits you can present and whether you need to follow a specific theme. Determine how much time you’ll have on the runway to avoid potential embarrassment.
● Profile Audience
As mentioned, your success is closely connected to the audience and jury. Understanding what makes them tick and what they’re looking for in a collection will go a long way in securing awards for you and your team. You must acquire this information well ahead of time, as it will affect all your design efforts.
● Create Sketches and Samples
After the initial analysis, it’s time to create the initial sketches and samples. One of the vital things at this point is ensuring all your designs seem like a part of the same collection. Cohesion is the name of the game and will make your entire set much more presentable. Among others, you’ll need to introduce your vision and mission into the outfits.
Once the sketches are finished, it’s time to choose materials. Quality fabrics are vital if you wish to leave an impression on the jury. We also recommend you consider accessories that will go with these outfits and instill character into your collection.
Conclusion
Fashion award events are the best way to propel your career, giving you enormous exposure you won’t find anywhere else. What’s even better, they’re perfect for connecting with potential partners and large brands.
Nevertheless, they do require some preparation. The process of creating and presenting your collection is an arduous one, usually requiring several months of intense work. Still, as long as you follow the tricks given in this article, you shouldn’t have any problem preparing yourself for one such event.
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