A call for budding fashionistas

Organised by the Cotton Council International, the competition promotes the usage of cotton garments.

Participants are supposed to design on the theme ‘cotton for all seasons’ and entries are invited from two categories — school and general.

For the general category, which is open to adults, the first three national-level winners will be awarded cash prizes worth Rs 1 lakh, 75,000 and 50,000 respectively.  The top three designs from the student category will be awarded Rs 15,000, 10,000 and 5000 respectively.

Top designers will be featured in the platform magazine and multiple entries are also allowed in the competition. Around 20 kids from the Smile Foundation were seen enthusiastically participating in the competition in the City recently.

They were given 45 minutes to come up with designs for a T-shirt and it was a delight to watch them get engrossed in their drawing books and sketch pens.

Designer Deepika Govind was present at the event and shared tips with the kids on sketching and also helped them interpret the theme better.  On being asked about the event, Deepika Govind said, “I am here because I believe in the usage of cotton. There has been considerable reduction in the usage of cotton and polyester is used as an alternative everywhere. Polyester is not good for the skin and can cause skin problems. Even the handloom industry is using polyester now. A country like India should endorse cotton and we need to develop cottons which are more contemporary and fashionable.”
About her experience with the kids, she added, “I am excited as design contests such as these give you an opportunity to see untrained minds. It is an expression of their creativity which can be a fascinating watch.”  Kiran, a ten-year-old, participating in the event said, “The competition is nice but a little difficult at the same time. I will be designing two T-shirts, one of them has my name on it.”

Shilpa, an equally excited 14-year-old was seen drawing a jungle.  “I am very happy to be a part of the competition. My T-shirt will have the image of a forest since I really like greenery.” The competition is on till June 4 and entries can be submitted online at www.allaboutcotton.com