AATFACotton2Couture Award

Cotton fashion forward

Entrants for this award will be judged by the following criteria. Any entries received that do not meet the criteria will be ineligible for entry.

  • The garment must be made of cotton or a blend of not less than 60% cotton. The only exceptions are any linings, interfacings and petticoats. (No synthetics or man-made fabrics can be used in the outer garment).
  • Each piece must be submitted with a 300 word max explanation of your design idea and how it relates to the inspiring garment (name the garment and the decade). It must also have a 200 word max description of the fabrics used and justification for why you used it demonstrating your understanding of the properties and performance of your chosen fabric and how this is suitable for the purpose of your garment. The explanation must also include fabric swatches you used in your garment.

This is so that the judges can understand your design concept and process techniques, and the announcers can accurately describe your creation on the runway.

Judging Criteria – Section A – Compulsory

You will be judged on:

  1. The clarity of the explanation of your design idea and how it relates to the inspiring garment (name the garment and the decade) (possible score of 10)
  2. The realisation of the design idea in your final garment (i.e. The garment reflect the idea) (possible score of 10)
  3. The visual impact of the design (possible score out of 10)
  4. The level of success achieved in turning something vintage into something cutting-edge and contemporary (possible score of 10)
  5. The suitable selection of fabrics for your garments purpose is shown in your explanations demonstrating discerning selection of fabrics based the properties and performance of your chosen fabric. (possible score of 10)
  6. The quality of overall construction (possible score of 10)

Judging Criteria – Section B – Runway

  1. The visual impact of the design (possible score out of 10)
  2. The level of success achieved in turning something vintage into something cutting-edge and contemporary (possible score of 10)

Judging Criteria – Section A – Compulsory – Marking Rubric (the way judges will mark your work)

  • The design idea is clearly explained and it is abundantly evident how the design idea came from one of the vintage garments
  • The final garment is a perfect realisation of the design idea
  • The design is extremely visually arresting and is very flattering to the model
  • The reinterpretation of the inspiring garment is clever, creative, cutting-edge and contemporary
  • The analysis of the properties and performance of the fabric, yarn and fibres used in relation to the end-use application shows deep understanding
  • Utilises appropriate techniques in the construction and completes the item to a high standard of manufacture (Judges will be looking at construction techniques including seams and seam neatening, hem finishes, effective methods to remove fullness (gathering and shirring), understitching and topstitching, openings and closures, decorative stitching and overlocking techniques where applicable for example)
/ 9-10
  • The design idea is adequately explained and it is evident how the design idea came from one of the vintage garments
  • The final garment is a good realisation of the design idea
  • The design is marginally visually arresting and is flattering to the model
  • The reinterpretation of the inspiring garment is good. It shows evidence of turning something vintage into something contemporary.
  • The analysis of the properties and performance of the fabric, yarn and fibres used in relation to the end-use application shows good understanding
  • Shows proficiency in most areas of manufacture in relation to the construction
/ 6-8
  • The design idea is poorly explained and it is somewhat evident how the design idea came from one of the vintage garments
  • The final garment shows little evidence of the design idea
  • The design is average and does not flatter the silhouette
  • There are only minor differences between the inspiring garment and the original garment.
  • The analysis of the properties and performance of the fabric, yarn and fibres used in relation to the end-use application shows some evidence of a thoughtful approach to the fabric chosen
  • Little proficiency is shown in the manufacture of the item to an appropriate standard
/ 3-5
  • The design idea is poorly explained and it is not evident how the design idea came from one of the vintage garments
  • The final garment shows no evidence of the design idea
  • The design is very unflattering to the silhouette
  • The inspiring garment is not reinterpreted it is copied.
  • The analysis of the properties and performance of the fabric, yarn and fibres used in relation to the end-use application shows no evidence of and understanding of why some fabrics are more suitable for end-use application than others.
  • Elementary proficiency is shown in the manufacture of the item
/ 0-2

Judging Criteria – Section B – Runway – Marking Rubric (the way judges will mark your work)

  • The design is extremely visually arresting and is very flattering to the model
  • The reinterpretation of the inspiring garment is clever, creative, cutting-edge and contemporary
/ 9-10
  • The design is marginally visually arresting and is flattering to the model
  • The reinterpretation of the inspiring garment is good. It shows evidence of turning something vintage into something contemporary.
/ 6-8
  • The design is average and flatters parts (not all) of the silhouette
  • There are only minor differences between the inspiring garment and the original garment.
/ 3-5
  • The design is v unflattering to the silhouette
  • The inspiring garment is not reinterpreted it is copied.
/ 0-2

Apex Australia & Cotton Australia – Advancing Australian Youth