One event we look forward to during World MasterCard Fashion Week is the conclusion of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up Competition. The competition pushes designers to expand their imaginations with a challenging task for their final presentation.
For this year’s inspiration, designers had to look to a galaxy far, far away. The six MBSU finalists were tasked with the creation of one head-to-toe look inspired by Star Wars.
Joining forces with Disney Consumer Products, the Star Wars inspired design competition came with a $15,000 grand prize for the winner. Hosted in the studio space at the fashion week tents, the space was transformed, invaded by Stormtroopers and highlighted by the creations of the six designers.
Between the Storm Troopers, from left to right, models wearing designs by S P Badu , Beaufille, Laura Seigel, Daniel Beaudet, UNTTLD, Narces.
During World MasterCard® Fashion Week in Toronto, UNTTLD was crowned as the winner of the Star Wars(TM) inspired design competition as part of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up competition. José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger of UNTTLD, pictured with their winning design, received $15,000 to put towards their own collection.
Star Wars has a rich design history, having popped up on various runway shows and editorial covers since its inception in 1977. With its memorable characters, unique set design and costumes, both designers and street style fans alike have taken sartorial cues from the film for decades. The six finalists in the competition were asked to design one look inspired by the iconic films that have attracted generations of fans. Each designer was instructed to design one head-to-toe look for spring/summer 2016 based on the design elements of the film.
We are delighted to be back at World MasterCard® Fashion Week, supporting up and coming Canadian talent. Star Wars has been a part of pop culture and fashion for many generations, so we loved seeing the designers’ interpretations come to life tonight.
- Pete Noonan, Managing Director, Licensing, Disney Consumer Products Canada
Roger Christian, Academy Award® winner and set decorator, was onsite for the festivities, acting as a guest judge for the evening. As the original creator of the iconic lightsaber and the character, R2D2, Christian’s long history with the franchise brought an authentic creative eye to the panel.
Fans of fashion and the films can follow along on social media with the hashtag #StarWarsFashion and @StarWarsStyle.
Photo Credit : George Pimentel/ World MasterCard Toronto Fashion Week
