Beginning July 7, emerging designers will have a chance to have their creations judged by industry professionals in Paris. The Emerging Trends Fashion Challenge—Paris, produced by the Synergy Events of Boston with Hype Fashions in Nice, is a fashion design competition for up-and-coming international designers. It is part of Synergy’s series of Emerging Trends shows, which had last featured at Boston Fashion Week, covered earlier by this magazine.
   ‘When it comes to fashion events, Paris is the place to be and the Emerging Trends event is a great opportunity for emerging designers to showcase their work in one of the world’s fashion capitals, says Sarah Oosten of Hype Fashions.
   Designers from Iceland, China, USA, Canada, Pakistan and other parts of the world have been selected for this exclusive event and will be announced shortly. The three judges are Artem Balawv, Barry Laden, and Julissa Matrich.
   Balaev is the co-founder and general producer of Aurora Fashion Week in Russia. He has organized and put on numerous catwalk shows for top of the line designers in Russia and St Petersburg. Laden is a British fashion entrepreneur, most widely known for his creation of the Laden Showroom, the UK’s largest independent showroom and retail space for up-and-coming designers. Matrich has produced shows at New York Fashion Week and Amsterdam Fashion Week, and is in the process of executive producing Curaçao Fashion Week.
   The winning designer will receive a prize worth over US$15,000, including US$5,000 cash, complimentary participation at the Cannes Love Fashion 2013 or Emerging Trends 2012 during Boston Fashion Week.—Samantha O’Reilly