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Back for a second year, the Youthtown Creatifs Young Designer Awards are set to launch, seeking aspiring young Kiwi artists and designers to explore their creativity and showcase their talent.

The Awards are open to all 13 – 18 year olds who are passionate about art, fashion and design and want to challenge their creativity and share their skills with the nation.

This year marks the first year of involvement from leading tertiary institution AUT University. As principal sponsor, the two Award categories for 2013 are; The AUT Wearable Art Award and AUT Fashion Design Award.

“As a leading institution for youth development and education, AUT share our passion in encouraging creativity and inspiring New Zealand youth to follow their dreams,” CEO of Youthtown, Paula Kearns said.

“We are incredibly excited to have their support for these Awards over the next two years,” she adds.

The AUT Wearable Art Award category welcomes a new theme for 2013 which asks designers to create a mask inspired by their “identity”. This category challenges entrants to think outside the square and produce a design that demonstrates artistic flair and individuality.

Head of Fashion Design at AUT, Andreas Mikellis, said although the Fashion Design department doesn’t involve wearable art, it does support the creative and innovative element behind this category. “We recognise that this is an area where young people can express their creative design skills, and we wholeheartedly encourage that.”

The AUT Fashion Design Award requires young designers to produce a ‘ready to wear’ garment. This section will appeal to those keen to demonstrate their ability to be fashion forward, who embrace fashion trends and want to express their individual style.

“The annual Youthtown Creatifs Young Designer Awards were launched in 2012 to help uncover and nurture young creative talent from all over New Zealand,” Kearns said.

“Youthtown prides itself on inspiring young people to realise their potential through creative, physical and social experiences. This year’s Awards provide a perfect opportunity for our country’s talented youngsters to express who they are and actively demonstrate what influences them,” she adds.

This year also sees a new interactive voting element which allows the public to vote for their favourite entry from a shortlist of six finalists in each category.

The Girlfriend People’s Choice Award, supported by teen magazine Girlfriend, will be implemented through the Youthtown Creatifs Facebook page in September.

“This new element will give our chosen finalists the opportunity to share their fantastic achievement with friends, family and their school whilst showcasing their talent to the New Zealand public,” Kearns added.

Our esteemed panel of industry judges will be announced shortly, along with the final prize package.

Registrations for the Youthtown Creatifs Young Designer Awards open on Monday 27 May 2013. Entry forms can be downloaded from this date at www.youthtowncreatifs.org.nz.

Registrations close on Friday 23 August with all entry submissions received for judging by 5pm Friday 6 September 2013. Winners will be announced late September.

Tags: aut, creatifs, youth town