All dolled up for Toronto fashion contest

Barbie is set to rock the house in a dozen versions of the little black dress. So a Toronto fashion competition issues its LBD challenge to new designers
By Derick Chetty
Toronto Star

It's more than a little black dress.

The wardrobe essential dolled up three different ways, and inspired by Barbie, is part of a fashion design contest set to separate Project Runway wannabes from true, budding designers. The Toronto Fashion Incubator's New Labels competition invites Canadian designers – in business for three years or less – to present a life-size lineup of 15 looks for fall 2010.

No ridiculous one-off designs – like a Post-It Note dress challenge – here. Finalists will showcase their collections in a fashion runway show next spring before a jury of industry professionals (including yours truly) who will then go on to select a winner. The new challenge to design three little black, Barbie-esque dresses as part of their life-sized collection means each designer must mesh the required three LBD styles with their own aesthetic and lineup. It could be quite a challenge for those whose design philosophies lean toward androgyny.

But the cash prize of $10,000 from Barbie's parent company, Mattel Canada, should get the creative juices flowing.

As for the sensational lineup of fashion model Barbies above in little black dresses – can't you just see a Linda, Naomi or Claudia in there? – they're in a new series from Mattel called Barbie Basics that will be launched as early as next month.

For details, tips and to download the Fashion Incubator's New Labels Fall 2010 application, check www.fashionincubator.com.