Australian Competitions - SOYA

The SOYA – Spirit of Youth Award – is sponsored by Qantas. It is an Australian Competition held annually with the aim of helping young fashion designers to enter into the competitive fashion industry. The websites states ‘SOYA provides practical financial support to young creatives but also the mentorship program is really worthwhile. It is not easy starting out as a young fashion designer, regardless of talent’. Thus, the purpose of SOYA is to really foster young talent and give emerging designers a real possibility of success.

The competition is open to Australian residents and applicants must submit at least three pieces of work with supporting documentation in order to be eligible. The winners receive professional mentorship with an established leader in the fashion industry as well as $5000 cash. One particular SOYA success story was Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett with their label Romance Was born in 2009. Designer Alexi Freeman also did well in 2009 with his entry being placed in the top 10.  

Above: Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales after being awarded first prize for their label Romance Was Born in 2009.

References

2012, FAQ, Soya 365, viewed 25/03/2012, <http://www.soya.com.au/categories/fashion>

Friedlander, M., ‘sneakypeeking SOYA’, 360°Fashion, weblog, viewed 25/03/2012, <http://sneakypeek.360fashion.net/2010/11/01/sneakypeeking-soya/>