March 9, 2024 - Bessemer Civic Center
This creative activity helps children develop a strong sense of individuality and self-expression. Through fashion design, children can showcase their unique style and ideas, while also learning important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
Furthermore, fashion design can teach children about sustainability and the importance of responsible production. By understanding the basics of fashion design, children can not only create beautiful clothing, but also make informed decisions about how their clothing is made and the impact it has on the environment. With all of these benefits, fashion design is a valuable skill for children to learn and can lead to a lifetime of creativity and expression.
Please read the following information carefully.
Questions? Email us at garrettsplacefashionmania@gmail.com
Schedule of Events
5:30 PM - Participating students dressed and ready for judging
5:30-7:00 PM - Prejudging (Belk’s will be there to assist with makeup for all models)
7:00-8:30 PM - Showtime
8:30- 9:00 PM - Judge’s Deliberation
9:00 - 9:30 PM - Awards & Silent Auction Winner Announcements
Drinks and snacks will be provided for all participants at the night of the event. If your child has allergies, please provide your own appropriate snack. All students must be accompanied by one adult backstage during dressing and prejudging. Once students are lined up for the stage, the parent/guardian accompanying the minor must go out front and sit.
Attendance of the show is free. There will be a silent auction happening prior to the show. All money raised during this will 100% benefit Garrett’s Place and the children they serve in the Alabama Foster Care System.
There will be a People’s Choice Award table set up in the auditorium and the audience may vote on their favorite for each category. Each vote will cost $1. Money raised will also 100% benefit Garrett’s Place and the children they serve in the Alabama Foster Care System. Please vote for your favorites. Support our budding fashion designers and help a child in our foster system.
Eligibility
Open to all Alabama school students (public, private and home-schooled) in grades Kindergarten-12th for the 2023-2024 academic year.
All artwork and designs must be original. Copying other artists’ work is prohibited.
Content Guidelines
At Garrett’s Place we believe in freedom of expression in all forms of art; but we also believe there is a time and place for everything. Work that might be viewed as overtly sexually explicit, graphic or violent will be subject to the Juried committee evaluation, approval, and/or disqualification.
There is an application fee of $10 per entry. Use the above application link to submit your payment. All participants who are currently in the foster care system will have fees waived.
If you are a current foster child and wish to apply for a material/supply scholarship to participate, please click the following SCHOLARSHIP LINK and we will provide you with the necessary materials.
You must provide a consent form signed by your parent/s or legal guardian. This is included in the application.
Selection Criteria
Entries will be evaluated for overall design excellence according to the following criteria:
Originality
Craftsmanship and Construction
Creativity and Innovation
Fit and Tailoring (Fashion Design Categories Only)
Once your application is received you will be emailed judging rubrics to help you better plan and prepare for the competition. Winners will be selected by a professional judges panel consisting of a minimum of 5 jurors. All jurors will be involved in the fashion industry or part of the foster care community. You will be emailed bios of all judges prior to the final event.
Divisions
Upcycled Fashion Elementary School Division
Age Group: Kindergarten-5th Grade
Designers are to create an original wearable work upcycling existing clothing. The new item must be put together in a no sew fashion. Acceptable means of construction will be the following: Tying or knotting, glue, tape, staple, pin, and weaving. You may not hand stitch or sew with a machine.
ES Section 1: Kindergarten-1st Grade
ES Section 2: 2nd-3rd Grade
ES Section 3: 4th-5th Grade
Fashion Middle School Division
Age Group: 6th-8th Grade
Designers are to create an original wearable work using only Duct Tape and/or Trash bags. If you have a need for thread or rope, you must make it using only duct tape or a trash bag. Sewing and stitching is not allowed. Any color bag or duct tape is allowable.
High Fashion Couture HighSchool Division
Age Group: 9th-12th Grade
Designers are to create an original wearable work. Construction must be hand stitched or sewn with a machine. The item must be high-end couture fashion. Upcycling is not allowed.
Visual Art Fashion Design Concept Portfolio High School Division
Age Group: 9th-12th Grade
Designers are to submit a professional portfolio. They should be submitted in a 1-inch 3-prong black binder. All work should be in clear sleeves.
They should include designs for:
Evening /Formal Wear
Casual/Sportswear
Swimwear
Items can be designed for the male or female consumer.
Each category will need the following:
1. Start with a brief introduction
Don't make your introduction too long, work to a maximum of seven lines. It should explain the reason, purpose and inspiration behind your collections and what the reader of your portfolio can expect to find inside.
2. Include concept mood boards
Mood boards are important to explain the inspiration behind your collections. This will help the jury see how you work and how creative you are. Include pictures, fabric swatches, drawings, color and textile palettes. One or two pages dedicated to your concepts will suffice. See examples below.
3. Showcase your fashion designs
Showcase your designs through high-quality drawings. Use hand-drawn silhouettes, demonstrate how your designs look when they’re styled with other garments, and include inspirational images to bring the entire look and feel of your collection together.
Visual Art-Painted Foster Care SuitCase Design
Age Group: 9th-12th Grade
Designers are to pick up a suitcase from Garrett's Place and paint an original design that embodies the mission of Garrett’s Place:
Garrett's Place serves foster children and the families who care for them by providing for basic needs, connection, and support. We provide suitcases, clothes, books, toys, school supplies, and other items to children entering the foster system.
All designed suitcases will return to Garrett's Place to be given to a child coming into care. Please create a work of art that will embody hope, love, and joy focusing on a unisex design.
Awards
Fashion Elementary School Division
1st Place: Art Kit $200 value
2nd Place: Art Kit $100 value
3rd Place: Art Kit $50 value
Honorable Mention: Taziki Certificate for One Student Meal and Certificate
Fashion Middle School Division
1st Place: Sewing Machine and $100 Gift Card to United Textiles
2nd Place: Sewing Machine and $50 Gift Card to United Textiles
3rd Place: Sewing Machine and $25 Gift Card to United Textiles
Honorable Mention: Taziki Certificate for One Student Meal and Certificate
Fashion High School Division
1st Place: $1000 Scholarship
2nd Place: $500 Scholarship
3rd Place: Singer Sewing Machine
Honorable Mention: Taziki Certificate for One Student Meal and Certificate
Visual Art Fashion Design Concept Portfolio High School Division
1st Place: Professional Portfolio and Copic Marker Set
2nd Place: Professional Portfolio
3rd Place: Art Kit
Honorable Mention: Taziki Certificate for One Student Meal and Certificate
Visual Art- Foster Care SuitCase Design
1st Place: $1000 Scholarship
2nd Place: $500 Scholarship
3rd Place: 3 Piece Luggage Set
Honorable Mention: Taziki Certificate for One Student Meal and Certificate
People’s Choice Awards
One winner per category. Winners are voted on by the public. Each vote costs $1 each, and all proceeds raised go directly to Garrett's Place to benefit foster children in Alabama.
1st Place Winner:
1 Family Meal of 4 for Taziki’s Mediterranean Grill in McCalla Alabama
