Apply for $2,000 Cash Prize in the African Development Bank Fashionomics Africa Contest for African Designers

Environmentally friendly measures, sustainability and circular economy actions applied to fashion are the focus of Fashionomics Africa’s first online contest. The first Fashionomics Africa contest is a challenge prize run by the African Development Bank, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, Parsons School of Design and Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative, across the Continent.

On the continent and worldwide, the current linear take-make-dispose model, characterised by rapid and endless consumption is giving way to a more circular and inclusive fashion value chain.

This year’s competition is looking for African fashion brands that will change the ways we produce, buy, use and recycle fashion and encourage a more sustainable change in consumer behaviour – as well as to raise further awareness around the topic itself.

The competition is open to entrants from across the Continent and the application deadline is on 31 December 2020 at 23:59 GMT.

If you are an African designer and a fashion entrepreneur over 18 years old, based in Africa, operating in the textile, apparel or accessories industry and you have launched a fashion business, this opportunity is for you.

1. PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS

1.1. Eligibility criteria

The contest is open to African designers over 18 years old that live in Africa. Proof of age will be requested.

Participants must have launched a fashion business¹ and operate in the textile (fabric making), apparel (clothing) or accessories sector.

Recently launched business are encouraged to apply. Proof of business registration will be requested.

1.2. Admissibility requirements

Applications must be received no later than 31 December, 2020.

Applications must be submitted by completing the online registration form HERE². The information to be provided will include:

Personal information about the participant;
Business information about the participant’s brand;
Write-up (max. 2000 words) to:
- Present the brand’s sustainable business model (from the materials used, to the production and end-life of the product);
- Present the brand’s supply and distribution channels, social engagement and justice, labor practices (i.e. social status of its employees) and additional eco-friendly measures. How does the brand demonstrate consideration for the people who are part of the design / development / production systems and how does the brand ensure that the products have an impact on people and communities?;
- Explain what makes the brands’ flagship products environmentally friendly and innovative;
- Explain how does the brand define sustainability and how does the brand measure its impact on products?;
- Explain why did the brand choose to engage in a specific area of sustainable production? Explain the motivation behind this choice;
- Explain how they intend to allocate and spend the funds, should he or she win the competition.
Pictures of the product(s) proposed in different angles (at least front and back views) – maximum 5 products³.
The following information will be required for each product submitted:
- The materials used;
- The design process;
- The production techniques;
- The methods put into place to reduce the carbon footprint (if any);
- Information on the life of the product: durability and measures taken to extend the product’s lifetime.
Other attachments: 1 page visual/textual summary of the brand, look book, press book and any other relevant document.

Applications must be submitted either in English or French.

Failure to comply with these requirements will lead to the rejection of the application.

1.3. Evaluation criteria

Quality of the sustainable products designed (60 points)

Are the brand’s flagship products environmentally friendly and innovative?

Sub-criteria:

1. Originality and use of more sustainable materials (e.g. recycled, organic) (15 points)
2. Design of durable, recyclable garments (15 points)
3. Cleaner/ greener production techniques (e.g. safer chemicals, less waste) (10 points)
4. Original ways to reduce the carbon footprint (10 points)
5. Life of the product: Product’s durability and measures taken to reduce waste and to extend the product’s lifetime (10 points)

* All products submitted must have been introduced to the market.

** Each participant will submit pictures of the products (mandatory).

Clear write-up (on the brand and its sustainable products) and solid growth plan/strategy on how they intend to disburse the USD 2,000 prize (30 points)

Is sustainability at the heart of the brand’s business model?

Sub-criteria:

1. Quality of write-up (8 points)
2. The brand has a sustainable business model: From the materials used, to the production and end-life of the product. Are the brand’s fashion products used more, made to be made again, made from safe and recycled or renewable inputs? (12 points)
3. Is the allocation of the USD 2,000-reward proposed by the brand strong and viable? (10 points)

Brand’s commitment to sustainability (10 points)

Sub-criteria:

1. Use of social networks, website or other means of communication to promote circular actions (5 points)
2. The brand works to improve the social status of its employees, develops eco-friendly distribution methods, and any other positive and additional information provided (5 points)

2. AWARD

The winner will have the opportunity to win:

A financial reward of USD 2,000 for the best sustainable and innovative design⁴;
A Fashionomics Africa certificate;
Access to a network of media insiders and industry experts;
The possibility to take part in online events and share insights on key sustainability challenges facing the industry;
The publication of the winner’s story and 400-word blog on the African Development Bank’s website and Fashionomics Africa platform;
The possibility to attend a Fashionomics Africa webinar as a panelist;
Access to mentoring and networking opportunities via:
- - Parsons School of Design:
    - 2 Individual project development mentoring sessions with Parsons School of Design Undergraduate co-Director for Fashion Design, Brendan McCarthy;
    - 1 group critique session to support project development with Parsons School of Design faculty members.
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative:
  - Benefit from Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative network support;
  - Take part in one of the Foundation’s live online events to present on the brand and project.
- United Nations Environment Programme:
  - Visibility and networking support:
    - Present the brand’s sustainability journey at an online event organized by UNEP, with participation of African and international companies, technical organizations, fashion institutes, etc.;
    - Participate in a live event dedicated to Sustainable Fashion during the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (in 2022);
    - Be featured under the UNEP Sustainable Fashion Communication Campaign to be launched next year and benefit from UNEP social media support
  - Capacity building support:
    - Gain one exclusive seat to participate in a UNEP online training programme on eco-innovation and life cycle approaches;
    - Get the opportunity to dialogue with some of UNEP’s Goodwill Ambassadors.

3. JURY

The applications will be examined by a jury composed of:

A representative of the African Development Bank’s Fashionomics Africa program: Emanuela Gregorio, Economist and Fashionomics Africa Coordinator;
A representative of the United Nations Environment Programme: Bettina Heller, Programme Officer;
A representative of Parsons School of Design: Brendan McCarthy, Program Director, BFA Fashion Design: Systems and Materiality;
A representative of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative: François Souchet, Lead – Make Fashion Circular.

The members of the jury will elect the 3 finalists of the competition.

4. PUBLIC VOTE

The general public (any person wishing to vote) will choose a winner among the three final candidates. Voting will take place via the online Fashionomics Africa platform.

A voting page with the 3 finalists chosen by the jury will be created. The page will contain pertinent information about the selected finalists.

To vote, participants will need to have a user account on the platform. Each account can vote once.

In order to minimize the risk of multiple votes from an account, security tests will be put into place to verify that each vote corresponds to a different account.

The link to the voting page will be shared via social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram) and other communication channels in due course (please refer to section “Timeline” below).