The H&M Design Award returns

H&M has announced the revival of the prestigious H&M Design Award. The award celebrates the world’s most exciting design talent, providing significant financial and mentoring support to emerging voices whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, innovation, technical skill and a desire to challenge convention and make sustainable choices.

The initiative is testament to H&M Group’s belief in the power of upcoming talent and new ideas to shape the future of fashion. This year, after a period of hiatus, the award returns stronger than ever, with an even more global vision.

The award is now open to BA and MA students from over 60 participating schools, from 25 countries. This year welcomes students from eight new countries including South Africa, Australia, Mexico, Poland, Spain and Colombia – making it the most dynamic version of the award yet.

In South Africa, students from Stadio School of Fashion, Fedisa Fashion School and Design Academy of Fashion have been invited to enter.

“I’m thrilled to be relaunching the H&M Design Award. It connects to the heart of everything the H&M Group values: new talent, fresh ideas and a democratised vision of fashion,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M creative adviser. “The award helps aspiring designers at a pivotal and expensive moment in their journey: when they are undertaking their studies, before starting their careers or businesses. Now more than ever, that is a moment when young people need support and encouragement. So, I am especially proud that this year’s award is our most global and inclusive yet.”

Comments Richard Quinn, designer and winner of the H&M Design Award 2017: “The H&M Design Award is an important and inspiring initiative. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with industry figures and to have a platform that showcases your work to a wide audience, both throughout the process and in-store when the design collaboration launched. The award continues to look to the future, encouraging and supporting the designers of tomorrow.”

The winner of the H&M Design Award will be selected by a distinguished jury of professionals from across the fashion industry. The winner will receive a €150 000 endowment, alongside a dedicated year-long tailored mentorship. This mentorship covers critical areas such as sustainability and circularity, production, marketing and PR – equipping the recipient with the knowledge and industry access needed to build their career. In addition, the winner’s collection will be produced and sold in selected H&M stores, worldwide and online. Furthermore, eight finalists will receive a €10 000 endowment.

Applications for the H&M Design Award are now open. Candidates from the selected schools are invited to submit their portfolios digitally. Twenty semifinalists will be chosen and announced in October.