NEW YORK —
, Oct. 28, 1996 — Saying that Internet innovations can come from Seventh Avenue as well as from Silicon Valley, Microsoft Corp. today announced a forthcoming worldwide search for a fashion designer with imaginative ideas for putting a line of apparel online.
Called Microsoft® Fashion Design Online, the search challenges designers to create a compelling multimedia showroom that would provide retailers and distributors information about their lines and prompt online consumers to buy. Microsoft will reward the winning designer with assistance in putting his or her winning concept on the World Wide Web.
The company announced its plans during the prestigious “7th on Sixth”, women’s fashion week in New York City.
For designers, the Microsoft search is a chance to present their lines in the virtual environment of the Internet. For Microsoft, it
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s an opportunity to tap the expertise of an industry that, like the software industry, is dominated by visual images.
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Successful fashion design appeals to people
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s emotions, their intuition, their sense of aesthetics,
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said Judy Dulcich, retail industry marketing manager at Microsoft.
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Today, Microsoft Internet technologies, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 and the forthcoming Microsoft Merchant Server, present designers with a fantastic opportunity to showcase their lines in new and innovative ways, build their brands with consumers, and enhance their communication with retailers and suppliers.
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The search will officially begin on Nov. 1, 1996. Designers have until Feb. 25, 1997, to submit concepts to the Microsoft search. To enter, designers may include a brief narrative that describes the general function of their proposed site, its target audience, and how it would reflect the personality of their line. Sketches and story boards are acceptable, as are computer-based designs.
Microsoft has assembled a panel of industry and technology experts to serve as contest judges. Expected judges include Bernard Cahn, webmaster, FIT Seminars; David Chu, president and CEO of Nautica; Nicolas Graham, CEO and designer, Joe Boxer Corp.; Jordan Harris, president and CEO of Hurricane Interactive Technology Solutions Inc.; Fern Mallis, executive director, 7th on Sixth; Leon Max, president and CEO of Max Studio; and David Wolfe, creative director, The Doneger Group. Microsoft will announce the panel
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s choice during New York
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s spring fashion week. The panel’s decision will be final.
In addition to providing four weeks of technical assistance in the development of the winning Web site concept, Microsoft will link the winning site to the Microsoft corporate Web site and promote it at industry events. For details on the terms and conditions associated with the search and on how to submit concepts electronically, please see the contest submission Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/industry/retail/contest.htm. Microsoft will not accept submissions prior to Nov. 1, 1996.
Designers may also submit concepts or obtain details by writing to:
Microsoft Fashion Design Online
Attn: Judy Dulcich
Microsoft Corp.
One Microsoft Way
Building 22, Room 4098
Redmond, WA 98052 Entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 15, 1997. Electronic submissions will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 25, 1997. For more information on Microsoft activities in the retail and distribution industries please see http://www.microsoft.com/industry/retail/contest.htm.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
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MSFT
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) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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