Announcing DHL Exported!

Getting a well-heeled foot on the ground in the competitive world of fashion can be tough for even the most talented designer. That's why DHL and IMG Fashion have teamed up to launch the new program, DHL Exported, to help designers who are already established in their local market and are gaining momentum internationally, to further their global footprint via the world’s most powerful fashion week platforms.

Designers from around the world can submit an application package, available for download at www.dhlexported.com from February 17 through April 2, and select a foreign event of their choice: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week or Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo.

Finalists will be chosen in April for review by a committee of regional experts in each of these markets, who will decide which designer demonstrates the most promise to benefit from debuting their collections at the event. DHL will sponsor a chosen designer for two consecutive seasons at each of the four Fashion Weeks, giving him or her a guaranteed spot on the schedule along with a funded and produced runway show. DHL will also underwrite all logistic costs of producing the collection (i.e. international shipping and exporting of hard goods) as well as exporting the collection to New York, London, Milan or Tokyo for the designers’ runway debut.

“DHL Exported will assist in breaking down international barriers for fashion’s brightest talent. DHL’s unsurpassed commitment to supporting the needs of fashion professionals will foster the designers’ brands in new markets by enabling them to debut their collection on the runway in either New York, London, Milan or Tokyo”, said Arjan Sissing, Senior Vice President Corporate Brand Marketing, Deutsche Post DHL.

“DHL has been a longtime partner of fashion weeks worldwide and has continuously supported the advancement of the fashion industry,” says Jarrad Clark, VP and Global Creative Director, IMG Fashion Events and Properties. “DHL Exported stands out from other programs as it aims to help designers who are already locally notable but need that extra boost to further reach their international goals. While there are many successful programs to help emerging talent or designers succeed within one specific country, this program is truly designed with the global mindset that brands today need to adopt in order to grow their brand into international successes.”

After the four winners have been announced in late May, DHL will support the designers’ journey from the outset of transporting fabrics and supplies for the collection to shipping the completed collection to the runway. To extend the reach and further support each designer, DHL and IMG Fashion are also creating an online portal that allows the designers to sell and ship their fashions around the world.

Application, program details, and nominating committee details are available at DHLExported.com.