// YNAP launches Incredible Girls of the Future competition to find the next generation of female fashion entrepreneurs
// Competition challenges young women to submit ideas for an innovative new fashion app
// Winner will receive a bespoke mentorship programme with YNAP executives, among other prizes
Yoox Net-A-Porter has launched a new competition that aims to find the next female entrepreneurs to take the industry by storm.
The Incredible Girls of the Future competition, which runs until July 1, invites young women aged 16-25 from around the world to submit their ideas for an innovative new fashion app.
The online retailer said all entries must harness the power of technology to challenge conventions, drive sustainable change, and ultimately impact the industry and the world for the better.
The competition supports YNAP’s ambitions to create a culture of inclusivity and follows in-house research last year that found 50 per cent of young women thought tech careers are “unexciting”.
The judging panel for the competition includes M Missoni creative director Margherita Maccapani Missoni, Women International UK executive director Brita Fernandez Schmidt, Man Repeller founder and author Leandra Medine, and more.
The panel will be chaired by YNAP chairman and chief executive Federico Marchetti, who will be joined by Net-A-Porter president Alison Loehnis and Porter acting editor Sarah Bailey.
“There aren’t enough women in tech,” Marchetti said.
“We strongly believe that fashion can provide an effective lens to tackle this issue and change young people’s perceptions; helping to introduce more female talent to digital careers and fulfil their creative potential.
“That’s why Yoox Net-A-Porter Group is inviting the future generation of female entrepreneurs to pitch their best fash-tech innovations.
“They are the ones who will drive a more inclusive and sustainable luxury industry.”
The winner of the competition will receive a place on a mentorship programme with YNAP executives, designed to equip them with practical advice for achieving their vision.
In addition, the winner will feature across Net-A-Porter’s channels and attend an exclusive one-to-one styling appointment with a personal shopper, with up to £1000 to spend on the site.
Two runners-up will receive goodie bags worth £500.
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