2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
CALL FOR DESIGNERS
The Art of Fashion is currently seeking talented Canadian designers
to participate in its annual fashion design competition.
The Art of Fashion is an award winning, not-for-profit organization committed to fostering the
careers of emerging Canadian apparel and accessory designers by creating platforms for
exposure.
Deadline for Submission August 17, 2012
RAW Design Competition September 29, 2012
The Art of Fashion will once again hold its annual design competition during
Toronto’s 2012 Nuit Blanche all-night art exhibit. This year’s design competition
will take place at Hazelton Lanes in Yorkville.
As part of the competition, the Art of Fashion challenges designers to interpret
and bring to life their expression of the artistic theme, “RAW”
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A.O.F. Designer Application 2012
2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
RAW - THEME DESCRIPTION
Architectural tailoring. Stoic detailing. Utilitarian
glamour. Sheer craftsmanship. Art of Fashion presents RAW:
this year's Design Competition. An exploration of fashion at
its core, the exhibit draws inspiration from the unassuming
details of the everyday. Through unfettered focus on
technique, RAW celebrates the intimacy between designers
and materials by breeding couture from objects of common
origin. A stunning return to the fundamental tenets that
define the craft of design.
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A.O.F. Designer Application 2012
2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
ART OF FASHION 2012
DESIGN COMPETITION
Saturday, September 29th 2012, 7:00pm-12:00am Hazelton Lanes
Only 10 of Canada’s top emerging designers will be selected for a chance to
participate in the Art of Fashion 2012 ‘RAW’ fashion design & exhibit
competition. Vying for the titles of Most Promising Designer and Best Exhibit you
will be required to create a collection of six unique outfits based on your
interpretation of this year’s theme. You will bring your collection to life through
innovative displays, using any creative platform you wish to enhance the
collection.
The finalists for the design competition will be selected by a panel of industry
judges and the Art of Fashion board of directors.
Combining years of expertise, the industry judging panel will cast their final vote
to determine who will be awarded Art of Fashion’s Most Promising Designer
2012.
Past industry panelists included: Cynthia Rea (Black Daffodil Owner), David
Dixon (Creative Director of David Dixon Inc.), Shawn Hewson (Creative Director
of Bustle Clothing and Project Runway Canada Judge), Brian Bailey (Creative
Director of Brian Bailey Design and Project Runway Canada Mentor), Marika
Brose (Fashion Direction Manager at The Bay), Liz West (Entertainment Specialist)
and Farley Chatto (Head Designer of Farley Chatto).
Designers will be judged on:
1. Theme Interpretation
2. Exhibit
3. Personal Expression
4. Cohesion
5. Technical Skills
6. Creativity
7. Overall Design Potential
It will be up to the public, thousands of art and fashion enthusiasts, to vote for
the designer they believe created the Best Exhibit.
3
A.O.F. Designer Application 2012
2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
The Most Promising Designer and Best Exhibit winners will be announced the
within the month of the event - details to be confirmed.
WHAT’S INVOLVED
Exhibit Space
Once selected, you will be required to create a 6-piece collection based on
your interpretation of the “RAW” theme. 5 pieces will be exhibited at the main
exhibit hall where you will be required to creatively bring the theme to life in
approximately a 10’ x 10’ space.
Fashion Show
Throughout the course of the evening, models will be strutting down the runway
in Hazleton Lanes wearing the 6th piece of your design collection. An emcee will
outline your vision for the garment and collection as a whole.
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A.O.F. Designer Application 2012
2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
DESIGNER BENEFITS
Most Promising Designer
• Recognition as Art of Fashion’s Most Promising Designer
• Recognition on Paradigm Events and Art of Fashion websites
• Recognition on the AOF Blog
• Recognition on AOF social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn)
• Minimum $1,000.00 Cash Grant
• Conditional membership to FGI and a complimentary booth at FGI Sample
Sale
• Free booth at 2013 Art of Fashion Design Competition and/or Designer
Boutique
• Photography and lookbook by Andrew Hiorth, valued at $1300
• A media campaign in support of their FW12 collection provided by Keeshan
PR
• Honorary Board Membership on Art of Fashion Board of Directors
• Winner will be highlighted on the web and in print
• Participate as a judge in 2013 Design Competition
• 2 VIP Conference Passes to Creativ Festival valued at min $500 each (will be
higher as prices are being finalized in late May)
• Garments will be sold at Black Daffodil on consignment (garments are chosen
by store owner Cynthia Rea)
Designer Finalists
• Exposure to over 10,000 people during the highly anticipated, Nuit Blanche
• 8 x Complimentary tickets to the VIP Cocktail Reception for friends and families
(exclusive invite only event for fashion media, buyers and supporters)
• Recognition on the Art of Fashion and Paradigm Events website
2012 Designer Benefits will be continuously updated on the
Art of Fashion Website
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A.O.F. Designer Application 2012
2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
KEY DATES
Designer Application Deadline
Designer Finalists Announced
Design Exhibits Set Up
Designer Competition
VIP Reception
Winning Designer Announced
August 17th 2012 5:00pm
August 20th 2012
September 29th 2012 2pm - 5pm
September 29th 2012 7pm – 12am
September 29th 2012 6pm - 7pm
Within the month of October
ART OF FASHION 2012
The Art of Fashion Design Competition is in its 13th year of production. In 2007,
2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 the organization took its marquee event to Scotiabank
Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s exclusive all-night showcase of contemporary art. As an
independent project, the design competition was the first ‘fashion’ exhibit and
received broad reaching exposure and attendance.
Building on previous year’s success, Art of Fashion will draw on the excitement of
Nuit Blanche once again for the ‘RAW’ exhibit.
The highly anticipated annual Art of Fashion Designer Boutique will be held
SEPARATE from the design competition. It is a key industry event that showcases
original works from apparel and accessory designers. It provides a unique sales
opportunity for designers to present their collection to buyers and sell directly to
the public.
The winners for “Most Promising Designer” and “Best Exhibit” will be announced
within the month of the event (October; actual date to be confirmed) and
awarded the grand prize of a monetary grant, exclusive retail and media
opportunities, memberships to arts and design organizations, and much more!
BACKGROUND
Art of Fashion is a not-for-profit organization committed to fostering the career of
emerging Canadian apparel and accessory designers by creating platforms for
exposure. For the past 12 years, Art of Fashion has supported emerging
Canadian designers through annual fashion events, with the main attractions
being the design competition and designer boutique.
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A.O.F. Designer Application 2012
2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
Art of Fashion was created and founded in 1998 by Michelle Planche, President
of Paradigm Events Inc. The Art of Fashion is produced annually by Paradigm
Events Inc. Based in Toronto; Paradigm Events Inc. provides dynamic and
professional event planning for special events and corporate conferences
throughout North America.
Art of Fashion is driven entirely by the support of volunteers.
For more information on Designer Benefits, please visit www.artoffashion.org or
email coordinator@artoffashion.org
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A.O.F. Designer Application 2012
2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
2012 DESIGNER APPLICATION FORM
Art of Fashion 2012 Design Competition
PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY
Name:_____________________________________________________
Title:______________________________________________________
Proposed “RAW” Collection
Name:_____________________________________________________
Company Name:______________________________________________
Mailing Address:______________________________________________
City: _____________________ Province: _______ Postal Code:_________
Telephone:_____________________________
Cellular:________________________________
Email:__________________________________
Website Address:____________________________________________________
DESIGNER CRITERIA & REQUIREMENTS:
• You must be a Canadian citizen
• If selected as a finalist, you must provide necessary equipment/medium to display
your works (i.e. mannequin, model, sculpture, etc.) for the Design & Exhibit Competition,
taking place during Nuit Blanche.
• If selected as a finalist you or a representative of your work must be present on
September 29th, 2012 from 7pm-12am, during the Design Competition. (please note that
industry judging will most likely take place between 7pm-9:00pm)
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A.O.F. Designer Application 2012
2012 AOF Designer Application
3112 Dundas St. West Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
t: 416.760.0360
www.artoffashion.org 
YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE:
□ Six Design Sketches* of your interpretation of the theme “RAW” (electronic version
and printed version MUST be provided) - All sketches must be of clothing articles. Each
sketch will be considered as one collection item (6 sketches presented per artist)
□ Biography (max 200 words in digital format)
□ Photo of yourself in a jpeg
□ Explanation of your interpretation of the theme (max 500 words in digital format)
□ Designer logo (in hi-res digital EPS or TIFF format)
□ Application Fee of $25.00 made payable to: The Art of Fashion
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
All applications will become the property of the Art of Fashion and will not be returned
to the designer*.
All submissions must arrive by 5:00PM, August 17th, 2012 to the following address:
Art of Fashion ‘12
RAW Design Competition
c/o Paradigm Events
3112 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
*Finalists will be selected and informed one week after deadline submission.
*If you are not accepted and wish to have your sketches returned to you please
enclose a self addressed and stamped 8” x 13” envelope.
*Grants are contingent on funding availability
If you accept the terms and conditions stated above, please sign where indicated
below and include this 2-page application form in your submission. Upon acceptance
by both parties, a contract will be developed and will constitute a binding agreement
between The Art of Fashion Inc. and designer effective August 17th , 2012.
Accepted and agreed to this ____________ day of ___________________, 2012.
____________________________________ __________________________
Name
Collection Title
____________________________________ __________________________
Signature
Date
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A.O.F. Designer Application 2012