- YOOX NET-A-PORTER has paired up with leaders from the fashion and tech industries to form the judging panel
- Young women aged 16-25 around the world challenged to dream up an innovative new fashion app to drive sustainable change
- Winner will receive a bespoke mentorship programme with YOOX NET-A-PORTER executives, among other prizes
YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP has launched a first of a kind competition, called Incredible Girls of the Future, to find the next female entrepreneurs set to take the Fashion industry by storm.
The competition, which runs until 1st July 2019, invites young women aged 16-25 from across the world, to submit their ideas for an innovative new fashion app. All entries must harness the power of technology to challenge conventions, drive sustainable change, and ultimately impact the industry and the world for the better, for generations to come.
The initiative supports the Group’s ambitions to create a culture of inclusivity, where everyone can reach and fulfil their potential without barriers. Research commissioned by YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP last year highlighted that 50% of young women think tech careers are ‘unexciting’, and few associated the fields of fashion and tech together. The competition aims to inspire more girls to recognise the creative possibilities technology can bring, framed through the lens of fashion.
The Group has brought together an impressive panel of key international fashion and technology experts to select the winner:
- Brent Hoberman, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at firstminute capital, Founders Factory and Founders Forum
- Bozoma Saint John, Chief Marketing Officer at Endeavor
- Margherita Maccapani Missoni, Creative Director of M Missoni
- Leandra Medine, Author and Founder of Man Repeller
- Brita Fernandez Schmidt, Executive Director of Women for Women International UK
The committee will be chaired by YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP Chairman and CEO, Federico Marchetti, who will be joined by NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER President, Alison Loehnis and PORTER Acting Editor in Chief, Sarah Bailey.
The panel will be looking for originality, entrepreneurship, thorough planning, as well as problem solving skills and a polished presentation.
The winner will receive a place on a coveted mentorship programme with YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP executives, designed to equip the young innovator with practical advice for achieving their vision. In addition, the winner will feature across NET-A-PORTER’s channels and attend an exclusive one-to-one styling appointment with a personal shopper, with up to £1,000 to spend on the site.
Two runners-up will receive NET-A-PORTER goodie bags worth £500.
There aren’t enough women in tech. We strongly believe that fashion can provide an effective lens to tackle this issue and change young people’s perceptions; helping to introduce more female talent to digital careers and fulfil their creative potential. That’s why YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP is inviting the future generation of female entrepreneurs to pitch their best fash-tech innovations. They are the ones who will drive a more inclusive and sustainable luxury industry.
Federico Marchetti, Chairman and CEO of YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP
Supporting the next generation of female founders is not only exciting but critical for innovation. That’s why competitions like this one are important opportunities to showcase the ideas of up and coming entrepreneurs, who undoubtedly will continue to disrupt the fashion industry like NET-A-PORTER have done. I look forward to seeing what the entrants bring to the table.
Brent Hoberman, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at firstminute capital, Founders Factory and Founders Forum
The Incredible Girls of the Future competition will offer young women the opportunity to use their resourcefulness and intelligence to push boundaries in fashion technology. I’m excited to support YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP’s mission to inspire girls to unleash their creativity and pursue innovation, developing a pipeline for future female leaders.
Bozoma Saint John, Chief Marketing Officer at Endeavor
It is incredibly important to nurture young talent and provide a platform for their voices to be heard. This industry flourishes from fresh innovation, and the growing digital age requires tech-savvy creativity more than ever. For YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP to engage with this community and create opportunities for the younger generation is so inspiring and I can’t wait to be part of the process.
Margherita Maccapani Missoni, Creative Director of M Missoni
For more information, and to enter the competition visit: https://www.ynap.com/pages/sustainability/incredible-girls/
