We've joined forces with White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds to find the Young Fashion Designer of the Year.
Last year, there were more than 1,500 entrants for the inaugural contest to find the region's top fashion talent and this year it's anticipated the response will be even greater.
Our contest winner will have a great platform on which to build a career and even top Leeds band Kaiser Chiefs are offering their support.
Kaiser drummer Nick Hodgson said: "Take one look around the city on a Saturday afternoon and you can tell that fashion is pretty important to young people. This competition gives them the chance to make a name for themselves."
Imagination
The competition is open to boys and girls aged between nine and 16. The brief is simple: use your imagination to design an outfit – it can be hand drawn or created using computer aided design.
Last year's winner Chloe Hodgson, 16, of Broad Lane, Bramley, Leeds, was a red mini dress with net underskirt and punk-influenced decoration.
The sketches of the 12 finalists this year will be made up into outfits to be worn by models at the White Rose Autumn Fashion Show on September 30.The competition, in age categories nine to 11, 12 to 14 and 15 to 16, carries a cash prize of £500 for the winner and £250 for the runner-up, while all finalists will receive a £50 prize. If the overall winning entry comes via a school, the school will also win a £500 prize. Three of the finalists will be selected by YEP readers.
White Rose marketing manager Andrea Allison, said: "Last year's competition attracted an extremely high quality of entry which showed the depth of young creative talent that exists across the region."
Entry forms are available from the customer information desk at White Rose, from the YEP website www.leedstoday.net, or www.youngfashiondesigner.co.uk or from headteachers. Entries must be received by the White Rose Customer Information Desk before noon on July 7.