IC opens fashion subsidy program

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has now opened applications for the “2016 Subsidy Program for Fashion Design on Sample Making” which will remain open until August 26.
Up to eight successful individual or group applicants will be granted subsidies of up to MOP 160,000 for sample production and promotional materials.
The subsidy program was initially launched in 2013 as part of the general “Subsidy Program for Macau’s Cultural and Creative Industries Series,” seeking to encourage local fashion design and creativity as well as to promote designers to prepare detailed business plans and commercial projects.
It is intended to “enhance the popularity and market competitiveness of the local industry,” according to a statement from the IC, “and carry forward the sustainable development of the local fashion design industry.”
According to the same statement, the program has played a proactive role in the local fashion design industry in previous years.
Applicants must be residents who are 18 years or older. Interested parties must submit fashion design drawings of their unpublished, original design entries and a completed application form.
An adjudicating panel will select a maximum of 15 entries for a second review based on six criteria: creativity and originality, market potential, quality, overall visual effects, feasibility and degree of perfection of the exhibition plan, and business plan and the rationale of budgeting.