For the third year running the MYFDA is taking applications for designers between 16-25 to compete to become Midlands Young Fashion Designers of 2010. This year’s event is expected to bigger and better with a new venue in the pipeline which will ensure one stylish night of awards.

Would you like to be involved in this year’s event? Take a look at our list below of ways you can be a part of the biggest fashion event to come to Birmingham:

Fashion Students, Graduates and Aspiring Designers

Think you’re the next Vivienne Westwood or Gareth Pugh and are looking for your big break? Check out how you can enter the MYFDA 2010 with the chance to win a fabulous prize which could catapult your career in the fashion industry.

Click here to find out how you can enter

Independent and Established Designers

Looking for a place to showcase your latest collection with the opportunity to present your brand to hundreds of fashionistas? The MYFDA offers a platform to independent and established designers where they can showcase between 4 and 6 outfits to an audience of over 200 potential customers. 6 designers will be selected to showcase their collection at the MYFDA 2010 Fashion Showcase.

Please request a separate entry form by email to the one on the site.

Exhibitors

As well as being a stylish fashion show the MYFDA is an ideal place to do some shopping and we welcome any new or established fashion related businesses who would like to book a space to sell their items.

Please contact info@myfashiondesigners.co.uk for information on how to purchase a space.

Models

We are on the lookout for aspiring or established models who are looking for an opportunity to build their portfolio. If you think you’ve got the Naomi Campbell walk or legs to die for like Gisele then get in contact with us.

Calling all Stylists, Make-Up Artists, PR and Graphic Designers!

If you want a career in fashion and are looking for some great experience to add to your CV email us to find out how you can get involved.

Helen Mary began through the love for luxurious materials and bringing these together to create an exclusive design, allowing women to literally feel beautiful.

After designing for high street retailers and overseeing mass production garment samples in The Far East, Helen Mary decided she wanted to offer more individual and gracious hand made garments within the UK and so created her own exclusive women’s wear collections. Attention to detail with the use of Swarovski crystal fastenings and detailing with contrasting beautiful fabrics is what has gained Helen Mary her signature style for understated elegance. All of Helen Mary’s garments are designed and hand made in the UK.

To see items from the Helen Mary collection click here.

This year we have some amazing judges for the Midlands Young Fashion Designer Awards, make sure you check out their work.

Gavin Douglas – Fashion Designer

Birmingham born Douglas is a “dynamic, young designer who carefully researches, designs and crafts each individual piece of clothing, ensuring its uniqueness and quality.” He has become well known in the fashion industry drawing critical acclaim from some of the most influential names in fashion. In 2006 he won first place at the Fashion Fringe designer awards in London and showcased a full collection at London Fashion Week in 2007.

Sulaimi Brookman – Fashion Designer
Brookman was born in Singapore and knew from an early age he was destined for a career in the fashion industry. Due to his experiences working in a Versace boutique he now primarily focuses on turning haute couture gowns into ready to wear pieces all the time remembering the woman he is designing for is key to the process; flattering all women’s shapes and sizes. Brookman has now moved to Birmingham and his business is based from a studio in the Custard Factory. Part of the inspiration for his new collection came from French queen Marie Antoinette, combined with themes from the film Dangerous Liaisons. Check out his amazing collection by clicking here.

Helen Parker– Me Myself & I Online Boutique owner

Me, Myself & I sells fashion and accessory pieces from an array of independent designers on an online web shop. Using e-commerce guarantees the collections advertised online become available to a global market, opening up the sales essentially, worldwide. Many of the designers support local manufacturing using organic fabrics and hand sourced vintage materials.

Taejal studied Fashion Design at Birmingham City University and went on to become a fashion trend researcher in London. However, with the desire to become more creative Taejal went on to work for an independent designer in Birmingham and is now an Assistant Designer for a major supplier. This has both enabled Taejal to gain valuable experience but also determine that fashion is definitely the industry she belongs in.

Her collection is called ‘Gold Lion’ and Taejal hopes to inhabit femininity by using simple fluid shapes. The overall look combines layering and “encourages the individual to be experimental.” Taejal has been inspired by drawing and designing from a young age and has found that fashion enabled her to pursue her interest. She is constantly looking for new ideas and innovative pieces and is inspired by designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Dries Van Noten and Sophia Kokosalaki. Travelling, meeting new people and seeing new places is important to Taejal’s development as a designer and the opportunity to be a part of the MYFDA makes her feel “enthused about her future.”

Melanie discovered her love of fashion when she realised she craved a more creative career. She had worked in an office and not enjoyed the monotonous life she was leading. Therefore aged 21 she enrolled at Derby University to study a degree in Fashion studies. Melanie is inspired by modern brands such as Agent Provocateur and Mimi Holliday.

Her collection is designed for the ‘Evening Wear’ category and is called ‘La Femme Fatale.’ Her motivation for this collection came from her interest in Femme Fatales in cinema from 1900-1940 and used the style and elegance combined with 21st century styles and cuts to produce exciting pieces. Melanie says “I always get a buzz when I see my designs on the catwalk” and it is that buzz that entices Melanie, giving her the confidence to succeed.