International Talent Support (ITS) is launching its 22nd edition under the slogan “The land of creativity is borderless.” The competition for young designers, founded in Trieste (north-east Italy) in 2002 by Barbara Franchin, is now open for entries. Entries can be submitted on the competition website until September 30. The competition is open to “emerging designers of all ages, as well as students enrolled in fashion, accessories and jewellery courses around the world.”

An initial selection of 100 candidates will be made in October. Then, in mid-November, an international jury made up of fashion industry experts, artists, stylists, photographers and journalists will choose ten finalists.

Each will receive €10,000. They will also be invited to take up residence in Trieste from March 9 to 19, 2025, where they will be able to take part in workshops, conferences and seminars, as well as meetings with industry players. 

The final event will take place on March 20, and will include the opening of an exhibition of their creations at the ITS Arcademy, the creative hub and museum dedicated to contemporary fashion, which will be inaugurated in 2023. Each finalist will donate a piece from their collection to ITS. This will be exhibited in this fashion arts museum for a year, after which it will become part of its permanent collection, say the organisers.