It's that time of the year again. The deadline for entry in the TFI/Elle New Labels competition is quickly approaching, November 10, 2006. This national competition was created in 1992 to showcase innovative Canadian designers. The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is a non-profit organization which is a small business centre for promoting and mentoring new fashion designers and entrepreneurs.

Canadian professional fashion designers with post-secondary fashion education are allowed to apply. You have to have been in business for three years or less and create women's apparel. Unfortunately, menswear and accessories designers cannot take advantage of the competition. Only citizens who are residing in Canada full time are eligible. Of course, the 19+ age requirement holds.

To enter designers must provide an application form, 3 outfits from your last collection, 15 colour fashion illustrations of your Fall 2007 collection with corresponding technical sketches and fabric swatches. Don't forget your Fall 2007 storyboard in order to let the judges know about the story behind your collection. Do take a look at the application form for all the details.

The winner will receive an award worth $25000+ which includes a featured spot in the TFI New Labels runway show at no cost, $1,000 cash, one page editorial in Elle Canada, and a one year TFI Outreach membership. There are more prizes to be announced so check the TFI website.

image: fashionincubator.com