UNESCO AND FELISSIMO LAUNCH “CONTINUOUS CONNECTION”, AN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN CONTEST

Paris, May 10 (No.2001-70) - UNESCO and the Japan-based Felissimo Corporation have launched a new international design contest called “Continuous Connection”, to highlight the connections between people, and between people and their environment.

Held within the framework of the “Design 21” Programme, the contest targets young designers world-wide who are keen to develop original products representing innovative visions of the art of living in the 21st century in the categories of Fashion, Fashion Accessories, Home, Home Accessories and New Essentials, which include tools, items for the office, travel, food, etc.

An exhibition by professional designers and artists will be held at the Felissimo Gallery in New York, from May 17, 2001, to illustrate the main theme of the contest. Then, after the application deadline for entries of August 15, a committee of fashion and design specialists will meet in Paris to pre-select 100 designs for competition, 20 in each category. Those pre-selected will receive financial assistance to develop their project and will have to submit their final designs and models by January 5, 2002.

Pre-selected competition entries will go on show in February 2002 at the Felissimo Gallery in New York where the final selection will be made by an International Jury designated by UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. Laureates will attend an award ceremony and have their work exhibited in Paris, at UNESCO Headquarters, in autumn 2002 (October-November). A prize of US$3,000 will be awarded to the best designer in each of the five categories and a Grand Prize of US$10,000 will be given to the best designer overall. Corporate awards from sponsoring companies will be specified at a later date.

The competition is open to designers up to the age of 35 who have not yet attained international recognition and who have not been the laureates of previous “Design 21” contests. The “Design 21” Programme was launched on the joint initiative of UNESCO and the Felissimo Group in 1995 to transcend national borders in promoting a creative force among generations that will shape our future. “Continuous Connection” is the fourth Design 21 International Design Award.

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