TaF.tc is calling for those with a passion for fashion to join the inaugural Tencel™ Fashion Design Competition 2019

SINGAPORE,March 5,2019 -- Future leaders of Singapore's fashion design scene now have a new avenue to pursue their dreams of fame with the official launch of the inaugural Tencel™ Fashion Design Competition 2019. The competition,organised by the Textile and Fashion Industry Training Centre (TaF.tc),is conducted under the guidance of TaF.tc's team of expert trainers in the field of dressmaking and fashion business.

The competition is set to unearth the next emerging talent whose winning dress design will be produced and sold by an exclusive retail partner. In addition,the winner will receive a total of four prizes-- a scholarship for a fashion diploma,an internship opportunity with award-winning Singaporean label,Triologie,a SGD500 cash prize,and an overseas trip. For those with hopes of forging a career in fashion and want to bring their dressmaking skills to the next level,theTencel™ Fashion Design Competition 2019 aims to be the premier platform for aspiring designers to realise their dreams.

TaF.tc's unique competition invites budding designers to take part in an intensive five-day course in dressmaking,where they will learn the techniques and skills needed to create a dress that represents their unique interpretation of this year's chosen theme: "Singapore Story". To mark the inauguration of this competition,four distinguished sponsors have agreed to contribute materials to all participants. The fabric is sponsored by Sustainability Partner,the global fabric company,Lenzing Group; while award-winning textile designer and Founder of Triologie,Sylvia Lim,has contributed a unique fabric design,created specifically for the competition. Famed Japanese zipper company,YKK,has contributed zippers,and A&E provided thread spools for the machines. The dress-making course will be taught by TaF.tc's highly qualified trainers with valuable international experience over the years across various areas of the fashion industry- Entrepreneur and Trainer,Jennifer Chan; Senior Technical Design Consultant and Trainer,Melvin Wang; and Entrepreneur and Trainer,Sue Lee. Once the dressmaking course intakes have been completed,the top 10 finalists from across the competition will undergo a one-day workshop on the basics of running a fashion business.

The competition will culminate in the fourth quarter of 2019 with a grand finale showcase of the top 10 finalists' unique and inspiring designs. A panel of five esteemed personalities will be tasked to judge and crown the grand winner based on appeal,workmanship,and commercial viability.The judging panel includes Sylvia Lim,a multi-award winner,educator,fashion label designer,multi-brand merchandiser and business ownerand Thomas Tan whose extensive international experience in the global apparel manufacturing space and whose dedication to mentoring young local designers,naturally found him representing Taff in the Asian Fashion Federation.

Sustainability Partner,The Lenzing Group's Head of Commercial South East Asia,Winston A Mulyadi said,"As part of our core values,Lenzing perceives sustainability as a continuous effort in balancing these three elements: People,Planet,and Profit. We see sustainability as the growth engine for our business,the guiding light for better innovation,and the solution to address social challenges. On top of that,it also enables Lenzing's products,especially Tencel™,to stand out in an ethical way."

Mr Mulyadi adds,"This partnership is the perfect opportunity to educate up-and-coming fashion designers about the importance of sustainability in the industry and discover how Tencel™ is making a positive change in this space."

Chief Executive of TaF.tc,Doreen Tan noted,"TaF.tc shares Lenzing's goal of creating a sustainable fashion industry,and we believe this starts with creative talent,dressmaking skills and understanding the fashion business. Through this competition,we hope to encourage both students and professionals to realise their dreams and give them a head start in the highly competitive industry."

Other Official Partners include SkillsFuture Singapore,Edutrust,Taff,A&E,Tailour,MOX,Sing Mui Heng,Brother and Juki.

Participants can choose to enrol for their preferred intakes,with classes starting from March until July-- which will be held at various TaF.tc campuses-- Thye Hong Centre (Redhill MRT),Central Plaza (Tiong Bahru MRT),MOX in Joo Chiat. Classes will also be held in Design Orchard,which will open later this month. An application fee of S$74.90 (inclusive of 7% GST) is required from all competition applicants. More information can be found at https://fashion2019.taftc.org/.

About The Lenzing Group

The Lenzing Group is an international company that produces high-quality fibers from the renewable raw material wood with environmentally-friendly and innovative technologies. These fibers form the basis for a wide range of textile and nonwoven applications and are also used in work and protective wear and in industrial applications.

Lenzing's quality and innovative strength set global standards for wood-based cellulose fibers. With 80 years of experience,the Lenzing Group is the only company in the world which produces significant volumes of all three wood-based cellulose fiber generations. Its products are marketed under the following brands: TENCEL™ for textile applications,VEOCEL™ for nonwovens and LENZING™ for special fiber applications in other areas and other products. Innovations like REFIBRA™ recycling technology,the identifiable LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded fibers and TENCEL™ Luxe branded lyocell filament yarn make Lenzing a global innovation leader.

The Lenzing Group's success is based on consistent customer orientation combined with innovation,technology and quality leadership. Lenzing is committed to the principles of sustainable management with very high environmental standards and can underscore this commitment with numerous international sustainability certifications for its business processes as the most sustainable company in the sector. In addition to fibers,which form the core business,the Lenzing Group is also active in the fields of engineering and plant construction-- mostly for its own locations,but also for external customers.

Key Facts & Figures 2017

Revenue: EUR 2.26 bn

Nameplate capacities as at December 31: 1,009,000 t fibers p.a.

Employees: 6,488

TENCEL™,VEOCEL™,LENZING™,REFIBRA™,ECOVERO™,LENZING MODAL™,LENZING VISCOSE™,MICROMODAL™ and PROMODAL™ are trademarks of Lenzing AG.

Disclaimer: The above key financial figures are derived primarily from the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the consolidated financial statements of the previous year of the Lenzing Group. Additional details are provided in "Notes on the Financial Performance Indicators of the Lenzing Group",available at the following link https://www.lenzing.com/Notes-Financial-Performance-Indicators-Lenzing-Group-2018-Q3 and in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements,resp. the consolidated financial statements of the previous year of the Lenzing Group. Rounding differences can occur in the presentation of rounded amounts and percentage rates.

About Textile and Fashion Industry Training Centre(TaF.tc)

Textile and Fashion Industry Training Centre(TaF.tc) is the training arm of the Textile & Fashion Federation (Taff). It's also the first Continuing Education and Training Centre (CET) for the textile and fashion industry in Singapore,with the vision of becoming a global fashion school without boundaries. We offer specially designed courses and programmes to prepare our students for a creative career in the highly competitive fashion industry,and to help industry professionals develop and specialise. Our local and global fashion collaborations mean we can offer unrivalled,continuously updated services,enabling TaF.tcto stay in line with leading national and international fashion industry standards. Our students achieve high passing rates,with 99.58% in 2018. TaF.tc provides intensive training programmes for individuals from various disciplines,preparing them for the following areas of the fashion industry: Merchandising and Marketing; Apparel Design and Product Development; Industrial Engineering,Quality and Production; as well as Footwear Design and Product Development.

Sustainability Partner:

The Lenzing Group

Official Partners:

SkillsFuture Singapore,Brother and Juki

Follow TaF.tc on:

Facebook: @taftc

Instagram: @taf.tc

YouTube: tafTVc

Website: https://www.taftc.org/

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