Rules
This year’s competition is based on an inspirational photograph your team takes of something in the District of Columbia. Your team will base the competition garment on this inspiration and explain in a written submittal the theme, inspirational photo, why selected and how that inspiration translates into your garment.
Teams
Team members shall be from a single firm; each team must have at least two but no more than five members (including your model). Due to time constraints, a maximum of 24 teams will be allowed into the competition this year-no exceptions. Please note, the first 24 teams to submit their completed information and provide full payment for the event will be entered into the competition. Design firms may enter more than one team into the competition.
Materials
Every firm will partner with one manufacturer or vendor of materials related to the building arts/interior design industry. Each manufacturer may contribute material valued up to $500 net and must provide a list of materials projected to be used to create the garment. The Cosmo Couture committee requires a submittal of the list of products to be incorporated into the garment and why they were selected; this submittal will be due Monday, September 12th by 5pm.
Fabrication
Each team will design and fabricate its couture piece; no outside tailors or seamstresses may be used. The garment must be made of at least 85% of materials from the selected manufacturer or vendor. Garments should be tasteful and respectful. Design teams and garments will be judged in the following categories: Haute Couture (the highest award given by Cosmo Couture), Best Performance, Most Creative Traditional Materials, Most Creative Unusual Materials and Most Sustainable. In the event of a tie, the Beneficiary will vote to select the winner.
Hair & Make Up
Outside stylists may be used for these aspects of the design and are the responsibility of the design team. Please note, the evening of the event, only one team member and one make-up artist or hair specialist may be in the green room with the model. We are very limited with space and appreciate your understanding in advance. Should this be an issue for your team, please coordinate having your hair and make-up done before coming to the venue the evening of the event. Should you not need assistance by a hair or make up artist at the site, then two team members (total of 3 people) may join the model in the green room.
Music
Music for the runway walk will be provided by the Cosmo Couture Committee and the selection will be provided to the teams prior to the event. Each model will walk to the same music to ensure continuity and speed with the show.
Models
One of the five team members must serve as the model. The maximum team size is five people. Please note, multiple models will be on the runway at one time.
Design Submissions
The inspirational photo and sketches of the garment design must be submitted to the Como Couture committee four weeks prior to the event for design review and use during the runway show presentation. Please also include a brief written description about your inspiration and garment. The sketches or photographs will not be released for public viewing prior to the event. The inspirational photo and all submissions (garment sketch, written description and materials listing) will be published on the event website after the evening of the event. All submissions will be emailed to Stacey Burnham Milici at stacey@LKADC.com.
