A new festival for designers will be one of Geelong’s “major cultural events in 2020”, Mayor Bruce Harwood has announced.
He called on creative types to begin considering their entries for We the Makers Design Festival, which would include thousands of dollars in cash prizes across several competition categories.
“Makers, fashion designers and artists from Australia and around the world will be able to participate, with the National Wool Museum becoming a UNESCO City of Design destination for locals and visitors,” Cr Harwood said.
“With major cash prizes and professional development opportunities up for grabs, to be announced later in the year, now is the time to start thinking about what you are going to make.”
The biennial festival would exhibit entries of clothing with an emphasis on sustainability, City Hall said.
The event, replacing Geelong’s Scarf Festival, would feature a Makers Marketplace and a Designer Showcase.
The marketplace would offer for sale entries submitted for seven categories, including opportunities submissions from children, City Hall said.
Twenty “top professional and emerging fashion designers” would feature in the showcase, offering a $10,000 prize for best entry.
“All those entering the festival will go into the running to win prizes and professional development opportunities to be announced later in 2019,” City Hall said.
Entries would for the showcase in November and the marketplace in February.
The festival has been scheduled to run from May to October.
Cr Jim Mason, who holds council’s arts, culture and heritage portfolio, said the museum’s festival was “terrific” backing for Geelong’s status as a UNESCO City of Design.
“There are so many talented people in our region who make incredible headwear, scarves, clothing and footwear either as a profession or a hobby,” he said.
“This will give them all a chance to showcase their creativity alongside the world’s best.”
City Hall said more information about the festival was available at the wool museum’s website.
