Are you a student fashion designer or recent fashion graduate?

The General Store is launching the INDIS awards (Independent Northern Designers In Store), where the region’s budding young designers have the chance to get their feet on the fashion ladder.

We realise that some designers won’t have entire collections, particularly students on related courses so we wanted to give them the chance to enter with just one piece that epitomises their style.

The brainchild of David Mallon, owner of the boutique in Manchester’s Barton Arcade off Deansgate, and the founder of fashion labels, Ringspun and Elvis Jesus, the

He said: “I started out more than 20 years ago making T-shirts in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and today we have a £10m turnover and employ more than 50 people.

“I think there is a huge amount of creative talent in the region and want to help that through the INDIS.”

They are looking for student designers and recent graduates to enter with one piece for the chance to win £250 worth of General Store vouchers and the possibility of seeing their clothes sold in store.

He added: “We realise that some designers won’t have entire collections, particularly students on related courses so we wanted to give them the chance to enter with just one piece that epitomises their style.”

To enter, click here for an application form.

The completed application form along with photographs of your piece should be emailed to sam@manchesterfashion.com

Six nominees will then be shortlisted and Confidential readers will then be able to vote for their favourite pieces on the site. The winners will be showcased at a special fashion show in the Barton Arcade on November 26.

“The INDIS is all about individual talent and flair and giving a boost to independent designers rather than the High Street norm,” said David.

The General Store opened over a year ago and is the only shop in the UK to have the cutting edge labels Ringspun, Elvis Jesus, Religion, Buddhist Punk and House of the Gods brands under one roof.

The awards are being organised by Manchester Fashion Network, for more information and application forms log onto www.manchesterfashion.com.