Every year, the Accessories Council partners with New York fashion college, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising to support the next generation of fashion designers and industry professionals by hosting a design competition and awards ceremony for students aspiring to work in the fashion industry.
For the last eight years the Accessories Council has hosted the FIT Next Generation Awards that honor students who have created outstanding accessory collections based on their school curriculum. At the end of the school year students show their collections in an exhibition and as a way for the Accessories Council to support their talent they will present the students with the strongest designs in each category a monetary award.
The winners are determined by judges from our sponsors and leaders in the fashion, accessory and jewelry industries. Each sponsor company contributes $1500 prize money, which underwrites a first and second prize for the students. Sponsorship levels are also available.
The Accessories Council also provides the winners’ resumes and contact information to the benefactors so they may be hired for future positions. A number of the students have gone to effectively work for the brands that have participated in the event.
“We are proud to support Fashion Institute of Technology in their mission to develop talent for the growing accessories industry,” Remarked Accessories Council President Karen Giberson. “Each year the students’ collections are more exciting and creative, and I am excited to see what the class of 2012 presents to our judging panels!”
If your company is interested in underwriting one of the awards please contact Karen Giberson or Carolyn Godfrey at Karen@accessoriescouncil.org and carolyn@accessoriescouncil.org or call the Accessories Council offices at 212-947-1135.
