Lulan Artisans Design Competition

Deadline: December 15, 2009 (RECEIVE) (Online)

Lulan Artisans
Design Competition
Charleston, S.C.

Note: This Competition is intended to produce designs that will be included in Lulan Artisans 2010 textile collection, as well as populate a database of Creative Commons designs that weaving cooperatives around the world can use to increase their ability to make a sustainable living and be less at risk of poverty. As set forth in detail below, the prize is the sole payment that each winner shall receive from Sponsor and each winner must agree to transfer all right, title and interest in their entry to Sponsor in exchange for receiving any prize from Sponsor. No further royalties of any kind shall be owed to any winner. If this is unacceptable to you, then do not enter this Competition.

Competition Brief (truncated)
Lulan Artisans is looking for new and innovative designs that will help Lulan to continue to stand out in the market and that will be produced using traditional techniques and construction methods. We would like designs that highlight the weavers’ skills by focusing on the “woven by hand” aspect of production while still incorporating the contemporary modern aesthetic as Lulan currently does.

Lulan is primarily interested in receiving designs that are:

Structural weaves
Ikat designs
Block-print designs
We may also consider designs that focus on:

Embroidery
Supplementary weft
Fiber content: The winning designs that will be added to Lulan Artisans’ collection will be made of organic cotton and/or linen.

Most designs may be used to create an upholstery-weight fabric, while others will be considered for lighter weight for drapery use, apparel use or throws. A variety of applications will come from each design and the differing weight of these textiles.

Schedule
The Lulan Artisans Textile Competition 2009 starts on Monday June 1, 2009 and ends on Sunday, December 15, 2009. Entries may be submitted at any time during this time period.

Winners will be notified in February 2010 and announced in March 2010.

Rules (truncated)

Eligibility: Open to entrants 18 years or older. All Entries must be the original creation of the entrant.

Judging: All entries will be judged based on the following criteria, each of which will be equally weighted: aesthetics, innovation, contemporary fit with Lulan design sensibility, durability, functionality and marketability (“Judging Criteria”).

Sponsor plans to select three winning entries, but Sponsor reserves the right to select less winners should entries not meet the judging criteria or more winners should the judges in their sole discretion decide that more than three entries meet the criteria and needs of Sponsor’s 2010 textile collection.

Prizes: Sponsor will select three winning entries. Each winner will receive a prize of U.S. $1,500.

Visit website for complete Competion Details and Official Rules: http://11-17.lulan.com/about/design_brief

About Lulan Artisans
A unique collaboration between U.S. designers and groups of gifted artisans located throughout Southeast Asia, Lulan Artisans designs and produces high-quality, hand-woven, hand-dyed natural textiles. Sold by the yard or as home accessories through designer showrooms as well as specialty retailers and wholesalers, our work elegantly merges original contemporary designs with centuries-old Asian weaving traditions.

Headquartered in Charleston, S.C. since its founding in 2004, Lulan currently partners with more than 650 weavers, dyers, spinners and finishers from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and India. One of the company’s primary goals is to enhance economic development, creating sustainable livelihoods and improving the quality of life for its artisans, their families and their communities – and it is forging new ground as a for-profit social venture.

For more information, visit: lulan.com