AMIRI LAUNCHES FASHION INCUBATOR

Los Angeles-based fashion brand Amiri announced on Wednesday, the launch of The Amiri Prize, a new annual award and fashion incubator for undiscovered American fashion talent.

The past year has seen founder and creative director Mike Amiri reflect on his brand’s core beliefs and identity – where he came from and the incredible experience that followed. With this endeavor, Mike hopes to nurture fashion creatives and entrepreneurs who have not necessarily found their way via the conventional route, who perhaps don’t have the means for education or the privilege of connections. He hopes that the Amiri Prize will establish a support system outside of the current establishment.

“As an independent designer, I have had the privilege to forge an unconventional path and find success outside of the current establishment,” said Mike Amiri. “With this success must also come the acknowledgment that there is a clear discrepancy of opportunity within the traditional fashion system. The Amiri Prize is tailored to young designers who are often overlooked and to help provide opportunity, knowledge and resources to create a foundation for success.”

The Amiri Prize is open to American residents only – a nod to Amiri’s roots and aid the local industry – whose ready-to-wear business is one year, but no older than three years old. The first prize winner will receive a sum of $100,000 USD and a year-long mentorship with Mike Amiri.

The winner of the inaugural, 2021 prize, will be selected by a panel of fashion industry notables and entrepreneurs including Mike Amiri; Salehe Bembury, owner of Spunge; Chris Gibbs, owner of Union Los Angeles; Glenn Martens, creative director of Diesel and Y/Project; Renzo Rosso, president of OTB; Karla Welch, celebrity stylist; and Nikki Ogunnaike, digital director at Harper’s Bazaar.

The application for the prize is now open through April 18th at 12pm PST. Finalists will be selected at the end of April and winners will be announced in May.

For those interested, the application can be accessed here.