EVENTS

DONATE DESIGN - DESIGN CONTEST

Donate Design is launching a design contest to create a commercial accessories collection that the women treated at the HEAL Africa hospital can produce and sell. Fashion designers are invited to submit designs for a small (3-8) piece collection of accessory and/or jewelry items to be made out of the cotton broadcloth fabric produced in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The collection will be produced by the women treated at the HEAL Africa hospital and will be sold in Goma with the potential to be brought to the international market by Bel Esprit. The proceeds from the collection will support the work of HEAL Africa and provide grant and microloan funding for new businesses launched by the Congolese.

The criteria for the collection is:

Small accessory or jewelry items made from cotton broadcloth indigenous to the DR Congo – photo samples of fabric will be provided.
Must be made with minimal equipment and tools (producers have access to basic sewing tools and basic sewing machines)
Any ornaments such as beading must be readily available (will be sourced in DR Congo, or will be shipped to the hospital)
Construction must be outlined in step by step instructions

Finalists in the contest will be selected from submitted sketches of designs, with accompanying instructions for construction. The winning designs will be selected on the basis of style, quality and ease of production. Fabric will be provided to the finalist s to create prototypes of the collection, and the winning collection will be selected from the final submissions.

The winning designer will receive a prize package for their own collection including a year free membership in Showroom International, fabric credits from fabric suppliers and additional promotional benefits.

LEARN ABOUT THE DR CONGO AND SUPPORT ITS FUTURE!

Bel Esprit is working with Friends of the Congo to bring awareness of the conflict in this region, and to educate the public about the importance of this country to the planet's environmental and social health. We hope this short video helps you understand why we support the cause of this country.

The DR Congo is a country rich in naturat resources, culture and creativity. Bel Esprit is proud to support the future of this region by assisting the creation and development of business, art and culture..