Among the seven disciplines (architecture, design/tech, fashion, film, journalism, music, photography) represented at HATCH Asheville festival (set to launch April 15), four — fashion, film, music and journalism — include mentorship (or “groundbreaker”) programs for artists seeking to take their careers to the next level. While the groundbreakers have been selected for the film and journalism disciplines, up-and-coming fashion designers still have the opportunity to apply to the fashion groundbreakers program.
Local designer R. Brooke Priddy, who heads up HATCH’s fashion division, lists the discipline’s mentors as “Mary Gehlhar, of Gen Art and author of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide; Elisa Jimenez, designer and artist – recently of Project Runway fame; and Yoshiko Wada, shibori superstar.”
Local designers who would like to work one-on-one time with mentors can apply for a groundbreaker position — the golden ticket to exploring some of the ideas set forth in the fashion discipline’s mission:
“1. The integration of new and ecologically sound technologies and sustainable design sensibilities into the garment manufacturing process. This is sometimes referred to as “slow design.”
2. Discovering the intersection of fashion and fine art.
3. Integrating historical and traditional techniques and practices into modern design.
4. New venues and mediums for exposure in the fashion world and the rise of fashion blogs and user/influencer – generated fashion websites.”
While the application process is open to “anyone of any age with a fresh and definite talent in the realm of fashion,” submission requirements do include “a collected body of work in photos, drawings or video” along with a written statement. There is no entrance fee. Deadline is March 31 and the judging takes place on April 2, with notification by e-mail in early April.
Download a pdf application form by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the text in the green box under the “entry info” tab.
— Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
