Target supports up-and-coming fashion designers in Canadian competition

TORONTO — Target is supporting up-and-coming Canadian fashion designers through a partnership with the Toronto Fashion Incubator, the company said Tuesday.

Target announced the partnership with the incubator for the annual TFI New Labels fashion-design competition, the winner of which will receive a C$25,000 cash award and will get to have his or her exclusive collection sold in Target stores across Canada in 2014.

Designers' task will be to create a fashion line for the Target guest, and Target divisional merchandise manager for apparel and accessories Elisha Ballantyne will meet with competitors in advance to provide guidance on critical business elements to consider when creating their collections.

"Target has a long-standing commitment to great design and supporting the communities in which we do business," Target SVP merchandising John Morioka said. "We are proud to partner with an organization that has paved the way for so many up-and-coming designers and are excited to showcase great design and make it accessible to our guests across the country."