Global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, SHEIN, is calling for entries to its first Australia-only fashion design competition, SHEIN R.I.S.E. Student Designer Challenge, highlighting characteristics of Resilience, Inspiration, Support and Empowerment. 

The inaugural initiative follows the success of the global SHEIN X Challenge design competition which concluded in March 2024, and offers Australian participants cash prizes and the opportunity to join the global SHEIN X Designer Incubator program.

The top three designs will receive $10,000, $5,000, and $3,000 cash for first, second and third place respectively. In addition, the winner will become a SHEIN X Designer and stand to receive mentorship and professional feedback from industry leaders, while retaining ownership of their work and earning from sales of their designs under a commission-based model. 

The SHEIN R.I.S.E. Student Designer Challenge invites Australian students to sketch their original designs based on the theme ‘Retro-Futurism’. Judges are looking for unique interpretations of the theme which can draw inspiration from retro styles with influences from modern technology or film and art. 

Each entry can include one or more items that form a complete look and can be submitted until July 25 2024. Participants will retain ownership of their submitted designs. The Challenge is free to enter and open to any student over 18 years old who is currently enrolled in any course in an institution, college, or university in Australia. Participants do not need to be enrolled in fashion-related courses.

“SHEIN is committed to making the business of fashion accessible by way of our flagship incubator program. The R.I.S.E Student Designer Challenge aims to serve as a platform for aspiring designers to showcase their looks in front of a global audience,” a SHEIN spokesperson said. 

The Australian public will select the finalists through an online voting system, which will determine the finalists and be responsible for 30% of the final judging marks. 

All submissions that meet the entry requirements and criteria will be published on the SHEIN R.I.S.E Student Designer Challenge website from July 26 onwards, and the public can vote for their favourite submissions until August 5 2024.

The top 20 submissions, as voted for by the Australian public, will proceed to the finals. Finalists will participate in workshops to help bring their entries to life and have them shown before a panel of industry experts in a runway show on September 13 2024.