22 May 2017

Project Glow Wear comes to Auckland

The race is on as creatives across the country have only seven weeks left to get their designs to Wellington to be judged in the second annual Project Glow Wear, the reflective design competition all about illuminating people on bike and foot.

This year the competition has a twist as Auckland Transport has joined Wellington sponsors and will host a runway show in Auckland. The competition challenges designers and creatives to take every day clothing and make it avant-garde. All entries must include reflective elements that highlight the wearer as they ride their bikes on their evening and early morning journeys.

Manager of Walking, Cycling and Road Safety for Auckland Transport, Kathryn King, says “We have so much going on up here in Auckland building new spaces around the city for people on bikes and it feels like the perfect time to bring the event here. We know Aucklanders who entered last year but couldn’t make it to Wellington to the show will love being able to see their designs on the catwalk in their home city this year. I encourage people to get in and have a go to win some great prizes and have a lot of fun in the process.”

Aucklander Carol Green entered last year and is already busily working on this year’s entry. “I’m all about riding a bike in normal clothes so last year I made some cool trousers with a thin, reflective stripe down the leg and tape on the bottoms to tighten and keep the cuffs off the oily chain along with some pretty funky hi-vis reflective bunting for a bit of fun. I’m keeping this year’s vision under wraps for now and looking forward to being able to bike to the runway show this year.”

A $10,000 prize pool is up for grabs across 13 categories and prizes include a $500 Levi’s voucher, internship at Mandatory Menswear, a Wacom tablet, a Singer sewing machine, shearing scissors, cash prizes and more. The pièce de résistance is the Arrow Award where the winning entry will be manufactured by the winning designer during a two month paid internship.

All New Zealander’s over the age of 15 are invited to enter: designers, home sewers, crafters and students. A Young Designer award will attract a healthy contingent of entrants from across the country.

The competition also aims to increase awareness of the effectiveness of reflective elements in clothing and accessories to increasing the visibility of people in the hours between dusk and dawn – particularly when placed on moving parts.

About the design competition

See photos of 2016 finalists at the runway show: www.projectglowwear.com and www.facebook.com/ProjectGlowWear

Project Glow Wear 2017 awards are for garments and accessories in the following categories: Luminance, Streetwear, Menswear, Best Upcycled, Fabric Innovation, Young Designer (15 to 18 years). People’s Choice and Commercial Viability.

Each entry will be judged according to specific criteria for each award alongside the following general criteria:
Reflectivity: Effective use of reflective materials

Creativity: Innovative and original design

Quality: Cut and finish, quality of sewing

Wearability: Ease & simplicity of wear and movement

Entries close 6 July and runway shows in Wellington and Auckland will be in August.

ENDS

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