In a groundbreaking move, Shein, the leading online fast-fashion retailer, has opened its prestigious Shein X Challenge to designers worldwide in 2024. This expansion, part of the Shein X Designer Incubator Program, celebrates the third anniversary of the Shein X Challenge and marks a significant shift in its global reach.
Originally confined to submissions from EU member states and the United Kingdom in 2023, the Shein X Challenge 2024 edition is now inviting entries from aspiring designers across the globe. The theme for this year’s challenge, ‘Radiance,’ sets the stage for designers to submit three complete Spring/Summer 2024 women’s looks to the Shein X Challenge 2024 website, with a submission deadline of February 15, local time.
All eligible entries will be prominently featured on the Shein X Challenge website, allowing the global audience to cast their votes for their favorite designs. The top 20 submissions will progress to the next round, where a distinguished panel of industry experts, including Adrien Roberts and Julien Fournié, will meticulously select the 10 finalists.
Highlighting the significance of competitions like the Shein X Challenge, Jill Wanless, a respected editor from the United Kingdom, expressed, «There is an abundance of raw talent waiting to be discovered. Providing aspiring designers with platforms allows them to express their creativity and showcase their designs.»
The transformative journey for the 10 finalists includes exclusive masterclasses by the judges and immersive workshops on sustainable fashion. The grand finale, scheduled for March 2024, promises a globally streamed runway show. Underlining its commitment to nurturing emerging talent, Shein announced an additional $50 million investment in the Shein X Designer Incubator Program in September 2023. This commitment aims to empower up to 5,000 emerging designers over the next five years, bringing the total investment in the program to $105 million by 2028. Currently boasting over 4,600 designers and artists globally, the program has already launched more than 41,000 original creations.
