New York, NY, February 10, 2014 — The Vilcek Foundation has chosen the field of fashion as the award category for the 2015 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in the Arts and is now accepting applications through June 10, 2014.  Three winners will each be awarded a $50,000 unrestricted cash prize.

The Creative Promise Prizes aim to encourage and support young immigrants who have already demonstrated exceptional achievements early in their careers.  Eligible candidates include individuals who were born outside the United States, are currently permanent residents or naturalized residents, and are 38 years old or under.

“The United States has some of the world’s capitals of fashion, where talents from around the globe come to study the craft and make a name for themselves,” said Marica Vilcek, vice president of the Vilcek Foundation.  “The significant contributions of immigrant fashion professionals behind the runways reflect the multicultural identity of this country.  And we are excited to recognize, with the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise, those foreign-born individuals who have helped shape American fashion.”

Fashion professionals from a broad spectrum of categories are invited to apply.  Categories include:

Designer — including but not exclusive to womenswear, menswear, textile design, accessories, and other artifacts
Stylist — including editorials, advertising campaigns, and fashion presentations
Makeup/hair artist — truly experimental pushing the breadth of materials used to communicate their narrative of makeup or hair
Image Maker — including fashion photography, film, animation, and illustration
Curator — including exhibitions, presentations, and display through real and/or virtual environment
Writer — fashion writing, including curatorial, journalistic, critical, editorial, and historical