Los Angeles-based designer Mike Amiri has introduced a new annual award for American fashion talent called the Amiri Prize. This prestigious prize includes a generous first-place award of $100,000 and a year-long mentorship with Amiri himself. Applications for the award opened on March 17 and will be accepted for one month. The competition is open to American-based designers with ready-to-wear businesses that are at least one year old, but no more than three.
Amiri, who founded his own label in 2013, joined forces with Renzo Rosso, owner of Diesel, in 2019. Through his Italian fashion holding company OTB, Rosso acquired a minority stake in Amiri’s brand. Together, they announced a $200 million investment plan over three years to support Amiri’s growth. In October 2020, the brand celebrated the opening of its first boutique in Los Angeles.
Reflecting on the past year, Amiri stated, “I have had the opportunity to contemplate various aspects, including the current state of our industry. I wanted to tackle the lack of opportunities for creatives from diverse backgrounds. The global crisis we are currently experiencing presents an additional challenge for designers who have just started but are not yet established enough to weather the storm.”
The inaugural Amiri Prize showcases a distinguished panel of judges, including Renzo Rosso, Glenn Martens (creative director of Diesel), Nikki Ogunnaike (digital director of Harper’s Bazaar), Salehe Bembury, Chris Gibbs, Karla Welch, and Mike Amiri himself. Amiri explained, “For the first time, an independent American luxury brand has launched a prize specifically dedicated to undiscovered talent in the US. I firmly believe that there are hidden talents in the USA who can make a significant contribution to our industry, but they often go unnoticed. In addition to the financial prize, the winner will receive direct mentorship and access to shared resources, which are vital for establishing a successful platform.”
The finalists for the Amiri Prize will be selected by the end of April, and the winner will be announced in May. Those interested in applying can submit their applications through the official website: www.amiri.com/amiriprize.
For more information about the Amiri Prize and to submit an application, visit the official website: www.amiri.com/amiriprize.
Additionally, learn more about Mike Amiri and his brand through their official website: www.amiri.com.
