The Art Institute of Charleston Sponsors Southeast Emerging Designer Competition at Charleston Fashion Week

September 8, 2009) Charleston, SC – The Art Institute of Charleston sponsors the Southeast Emerging Designer Competition during Charleston Fashion Week® for the third consecutive year. Online applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast.  This year the competition has expanded up to include South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.

In only its third year, the five-day-long festival has captured the attention of the fashion industry and put Charleston, South Carolina, on the map as a competitive market for emerging artist and designers. Set in the heart of the historic city March 16-20th, Charleston Fashion Week is encouraging all up-and-coming regional designers to apply soon. With former contestants launching their own lines and being featured by national press, the catwalk of the CFW may be just the springboard young designer’s need to jumpstart their careers.

President Rick Jerue of The Art Institute of Charleston said, “It just makes sense that The Art Institute of Charleston would sponsor this amazing competition to find the best and the brightest young designers from around the region.  There is so much talent in the southeast and this growing competition is proof of that.”

Charleston magazine style editor and CFW creative director Ayoka Lucas anticipates an increase of applications due to the recent coverage of two former Charlestonians appearing on Lifetime’s Project Runway. Lucas adds, “We are thrilled that several of our former finalists were interviewed for the show and two have been selected to compete. It only reiterates the quality of artist that are coming from this area. We are pleased to open the field up to several more states in 2010 and look forward to seeing what the Southeast has to offer.”

Fully sponsored by The Art Institute of Charleston, the 2010 Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast will allow eight designers the opportunity to showcase their lines to a panel of celebrity judges. Success stories to include 2009 winner Marysia Reeves, 2008 Emerging Designer Finalist and Project Runway contestant Carol Hannah Whitfield, and 2008 Finalist and 2009 Judge Ashley Reid, an instructor at The Art Institute of Charleston.

While the motivation of the competition is to showcase regional talent, one winner will walk away with a number of prizes to include; a  complimentary runway show at the CFW 2010, a booth at the AmericasMart® Atlanta Apparel Market 2010, a $15,000 website from F22 Design, and a $1,000 cash prize. For aspiring Southeast designers, it is time to dust off the sketch pads, start up the sewing machines, and apply online at www.charlestonfashionweek.com.

The Art Institute of Charleston offers both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees (depending on the area of study) and offers programs in Culinary Arts; Wine, Spirits & Beverage Management*; Graphic Design; Interior Design; Web Design & Interactive Media; Photographic Imaging; Fashion & Retail Management and Digital Filmmaking & Video Production. The Art Institute of Charleston is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

*Participation in the program for those under 21 years of age will be conducted in accord with state law regarding the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Conceived in 2007, Charleston Fashion Week® now produces more than 30 runway shows, houses over 5,000 attendees, and hosts a number of chic after-parties. Named a Top 20 Event for March by the Southeast Tourism Society, the five-day event celebrating fashion, will also feature a Style Lounge, the Catwalk for Kids auction and luncheon, the Stiletto Stampede and the Bridal Couture Show. For more information on Charleston Fashion Week® or to apply online to the 2010 Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast visit: www.charlestonfashionweek.com.