NEW YORK – Source4Style, the online marketplace connecting designers directly to sustainable material suppliers, and The IOU Project, a fashion label linking consumers directly to artisan-producers, have launched a sustainable design competition to find the next designer for The IOU Project “Made in NYC” Capsule Collection.

The global DIY with IOU competition is open to designers of all levels who can enter on Source4Style’s site from February 1 till February 24, 2012 with the winning designalso be featured on an exclusive sale on Fab.com and through a trunk show at ABC Carpet & Home.

Five finalists will be chosen on February 28, 2012 by a panel of judges including, Benita Singh and Summer Rayne Oakes (co-founders, Source4Style), Kavita Parmar (Designer, The IOU Project), Vivian Weng (Director of Fashion, Fab.com), Alysia Reiner (Actress), Izabella Miko (Actress), VV Brown (Singer/Songwriter), Erica Domesek (Founder, PS I Made This), Kate Dillon (Model) and Erica Wolf (Save the Garment Center). The finalists will then receive 8 metres of unique and traceable madras cotton from IOU to produce a single garment or accessory for women, men or unisex for Spring/Summer 2013.

“We are excited to be joining forces with The IOU Project to raise the profile of sustainable sourcing and design in the fashion industry,” said Summer Rayne Oakes, co-founder of Source4Style.

“IOWEYOU and Source4Style have a shared vision of opening up the transparency of fashion supply chains,” added Kavita Parmar, co-founder of The IOU Project. “The question of where are your clothes made and under what conditions are increasingly relevant. This contest is a fashion-forward way to bring attention to the growing sustainable fashion movement.”

As part of an ongoing project to raise awareness about transparency, sustainable sourcing and local production, final designs will be produced in New York City’s garment district through the Save the Garment Center and Made in NYC.

Entry fee is US$100 and includes an annual Premium Level Membership – normally priced at US$350 – on Source4Style. Designers can sign up via http://marketplace.source4style.com/signup and use discount code IOU at checkout. Premium Level Members for Source4Style can enter for free. Once a member, designers can submit their portfolio for consideration via Source4Style’s Twitter account or via email.

(Source: www.ecotextile.com )