Pop Up Now and Heart of the City are collaborating to make 10 Days of Fashion in the City 2016 an opportunity for an up-and-coming Kiwi designer to have their own pop up retail store in the heart of Auckland city for three days during the celebrated fashion event.

Passionate about great design and with an appreciation of how tricky it can be for brands to get into their first store, the Pop Up Now team will set up one lucky designer with a space in Auckland’s central city, free of charge and complete with design and fitout worth up to $4,000.

The central city is a highly desirable area to have a retail space, with big brands like Prada, Dior and Hugo Boss opening stores in recent months, and floor rents reaching $4,000 sqm.

The store will receive valuable profile through Heart of the City’s 10 Days of Fashion in the City marketing and promotion, and will also benefit from the hype and audience attracted by the adjacent Designer Garage Sale, also taking part in the event with their much anticipated sale of samples, one-offs and end of range garments by top fashion labels.

Pop Up Now believes in connecting great ideas and entrepreneurial spirit with spaces in which to make them happen. Designers with a twinkle in their eye who think they’ve got what it takes to launch their range during the highly acclaimed 10 Days of Fashion in the City campaign are encouraged to apply.

Application requirements include: a two-page business case outlining the designer’s inspiration, target market, marketing strategy and brand/shop name as well as an explanation about why the designer should be selected; a look book of the range; a design biography and photograph; other supporting information (optional);  and a range ready to stock a store by March 3 2016.

Applications are to be sent to Pop Up Now, Level 3, 150 Karangahape Road, Auckland, 1010, or by email to rachael@popupnow.co.nz. Applications must be received by January 20.