No one ever said fashion was easy.  So, in an effort to give emerging artists a leg-up in this elite industry, Miami Beach International Fashion Week (MBIFW) has undertaken their 5th annual competition to discover "New Stars in Fashion." Celebrating its 14th year, MBIFW has become a must-do for fashion insiders due in large part to the organization's tireless exploration of new talent from around the world.  Just as MBIFW is distinguished for discovering the globe's top established and emerging designers, the "New Stars in Fashion" competition utilizes the same level of passion and dedication to uncover future designers and trendsetters from around the world.  This year's finalists and winners display an astonishing array of talent, hailing from countries such as Poland, Thailand, Australia, and the U.S.A.; the group even includes a 12-year old fashion genius!

Miami Beach International Fashion Week is the largest International and Hispanic fashion event in the country and the fifth largest fashion event in the world. Beth Sobol, MBIFW's President and mastermind, launched the first competition - for emerging and student fashion designers five years ago.  Since that time, MBIFW has added categories for jewelry, photography, and graphic arts as Sobol felt that, "the talent and cultural explosion in those niches has become a very exciting part of fashion in general so we created separate categories for those artists as well." 

MBIFW's yearlong contest opens the door for up and coming designers, granting them unprecedented access to some of the best professionals in their respective fields as well as exposure to media and fashion buyers from over one hundred countries.  All finalists will have their work showcased at the "New Stars in Fashion" Installation during MBIFW, which will be viewed by local and international press, buyers, celebrities and VIP guests.  Additionally, due to MBIFW's prestige in the fashion industry, the organization has secured a mentoring session, internship, master class, or fashion shoot with a celebrated professional in each winner's respective field.

The three student designer finalists are:

• Diep Nguyen Hong, a Vietnamese-born young woman from Poland who submitted three cutting-edge leather-based Pret A Port women's designs.
• Patricia Pagas, also from Poland, whose designs incorporate pearls, chiffon, and crystals.
• Christopher Abella, a 12-year-old student at Miami's Expressive Arts Magnet Art Program, whose expertise well exceeds his age.  Abella submitted three breathtaking Haute Couture women's designs, one of which featured intricate beadwork.  

The three emerging designer finalists are:

• Happy Andrada, of The Philippines, who calls her futuristic aesthetic one of "interplanetary proportions."
• Marit Tuisk of Finland, who promotes ECO fashion based on a cared for sustainable earth.
• Jesse Thaxton
of Texas, whose emotional life experiences led to her self-titled "Melancholic Design" style.

The winners of the Jewelry competition are:

• 1st place: Sushil Puramery and Indian national residing in Bangkok, Thailand whose winning ring with hidden engraving was "born" when he forgot his wife's birthday and needed to create the perfect gift for her.
• 2nd Place: Aracely Perez who was born in Havana, Cuba and later fled from Cuba as a political refugee to join her parents in Miami, Florida.
• 3rd place: Twin brothers Peter and Paul Alawi of Jordan, who specialize in ancient style jewelry.

The winner of the photography competition is Carlo Fernandes of Australia who has been taking pictures since age two and calls his signature style "bold, beautiful and dynamic." The winner of the Graphic Arts competition is Kleuddy Abreu - born and raised in Miami and currently a student at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. This category was judge by local photographer Gio Alma who will be exhibiting his "25th Anniversary collection. Gio's work has been ranked among the top national photographers, he is known for getting the best out the super famous celebrities and models he photographs. The photography in this collection was created to celebrate Miami City Ballet's 25th anniversary celebration. MCB Principal dancers Jennifer Kronenberg, Jeannete Delgado and Carlos Guerra were dressed in haute couture garments from by top international designers including Donna Karan, Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Marchesa, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Gucci, Ines Di Santo and Jose Castro.  These unique, exquisite images are a perfectly balanced mix of art and high fashion, a style Alma has mastered over the years.

The beauty of the MBIFW competition is how the finalists' designs clearly reflect the cultures they are a part of, exposing U.S. consumers and fashion insiders to young global trends we rarely get a glimpse of.   Additionally, each designer's unique perspective clearly stems from his or her individual and often emotional personal story.

The judges and mentors of the various competitions include Mercedes Gonzalez, President of Global Purchasing Group, Julian Chang, Miami's top Fashion Designer, Robin Fleming, a leading Stylist and President of La Casa Hermosa, Ana Esther Soued, master Goldsmith and Silversmith, Merri Grace McLeroy, an Addy Award-winning art director, creative director, graphic designer, editor and writer, and Gio Alma, famed Photographer.

Miami-based, world renowned photographer and judge of our photography competition, Gio Alma will be showcasing his "25th Anniversary Collection" featuring stunning photographs from the Miami City Ballet. In celebration of Miami City Ballets 25th Anniversary, Alma features principal dancers Jennifer Kronenberg, Jeannete Delgado, and Carlos Guerra photographed in haute couture garments from top international designers including Valentino, Dior, Gucci, Donna Karan, etc. Gio is known for getting the best out of each subject he photographs and being keen on creating images based on original concepts and ideas which can be seen in his extensive portfolio.

The remaining winners will be announced on March 21st at the at the opening night press conference.  Amazingly, all finalists this year have confirmed their attendance, further illustrating the importance of this competition!

For more information and to purchase tickets for Miami Beach International Fashion Week please visit www.miamifashionweek.com. Become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/MiamiInternationalFashionWk and follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/MiamiFashionWk.

About Miami Beach International Fashion Week

Miami Beach International Fashion Week (MBIFW) is the longest standing fashion event in Miami, and has received worldwide recognition and fame for discovering and showcasing the best fashion from around the world.  Featuring eminent designers, celebrities, and musicians from nearly every continent, Miami Beach International Fashion Week promises to once again set the stage as the gateway to the world's most innovative talents. 2012 will mark an exciting addition to the glamorous affair when it welcomes Superstar Dionne Warwick.  An idol in the music industry for over four decades, Mrs. Warwick will host a media seminar for students and designers in which she will discuss her life, her style, and advise how to succeed in your chosen passion.

About Sobol-Perry Fashion Productions, Inc.

Following a successful career as an international fashion model, Beth Sobol, visionary and founder of Sobol-Perry Fashion Productions, Inc. established Miami International Fashion WeekTM in 1999.  With five Keys to the City of Miami Beach and Proclamations from the City of Miami, City of Miami Beach and State of Florida, Beth has also been honored with awards by many of her peers including the 50 Most Powerful People in Miami, Top 25 Influencers in Florida, Entrepreneur of the Year, International Women's Day and Influential Business Women Awards.  In 2010, she was joined by Aaron Perry, business man and entrepreneur as managing partner of the newly rebranded Sobol-Perry Fashion Productions, Inc. to focus on the development of strategic business partnerships and the global expansion of the Miami Beach International Fashion Week brand.