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Triumph Inspiration Award: Designing Female Fascination

Triumph International Hosts Worldwide Contest Dedicated to Finding the Most Inspiring Lingerie Design

Munich, December 5, 2007

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Fashion and design students in more than 25 countries - from Finland to South Africa and from Japan to Israel - are competing in the first "Triumph Inspiration Award" (TIA), a global design competition created by lingerie specialist Triumph International. The Award challenges students from prestigious international design schools to create a conceptual showpiece set, comprising an underwired bra and brief, dedicated to a special design motto. In its inaugural year, the design motto focuses on "Female Fascination".

The winner of each national competition will automatically qualify for the international final, where he or she will have the opportunity to present their piece to an internationally renowned jury. The international winner, who will be chosen in the summer of 2008 by distinguished experts from the fields of design, fashion and media, will be offered a unique opportunity: in addition to pocketing a cash prize of

Euro 15,000 he or she will see their showpiece adapted and interpreted by the Triumph design team, leading to series production of the set. The finished product, including special hangtags, will be produced and sold as a special limited edition in selected Triumph stores worldwide. It will also be part of a specially decorated shop window celebrating the Award. The lucky young creative will have the chance to be internationally recognized as an-up-and-coming talent - a rare opportunity for young designers at the beginning of their careers. The second and third place winners will receive Euro 10,000 and Euro 5,000 respectively.

Focusing on inspiration and creativity

Eligible to qualify for the Award are students of cooperating schools who are in at least the second year of their professional training. The national finals, taking place in the spring or summer of 2008 in all participating countries, will determine one national winner who will then be sent to the international final in Beijing, China.

Triumph International is especially interested in the inspiration and creativity regarding the theme, on both a national and international basis. Consequently, the Award does not focus attention on the technical perfection of the showpiece.

Jan Rosenberg, General Manager International Sales and Marketing at Triumph International, explains the choice of design motto: "For over 120 years Triumph has been designing and producing elegant and fashionable underwear of excellent workmanship and our inspiration has always been the people who wear our products closest to their skin: women. Whoever they may be and wherever they may be. ‘Female Fascination�' is the starting point for all our activities. We feel that in the inaugural year, this is an excellent motto for challenging young designers and capturing their imagination." Triumph asks students to interpret the design motto freely and to include suggestions on presenting their design showpieces at both the national and international finals, when the creations will be shown on the catwalk.

The very first global design competition for lingerie

This Award is the first of its kind and Triumph is delighted to announce that the many prestigious schools participating include Central Saint Martin College in London, UK; ESMOD International Fashion Schools in Munich, Germany, and Oslo, Norway; Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University of Technology in Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE and Queensland University of Technology, both in Australia, as well as De La Salle College of St Benilde School of Design and Arts in Manila, Philippines. The schools have the choice of either integrating the competition into their students�' curriculum or making it possible for the students to enter the competition independently. There is, however, a TIA requirement that a tutor from each of the design schools takes on the patronage of the competition on behalf of their particular institution. "We felt that a design competition like this was needed in the field of lingerie and we are very pleased that the Triumph Inspiration Award has been received so positively across the globe," comments Jan Rosenberg. "We are very much looking forward to seeing the ideas and concepts of all these young creatives next spring and summer."

www.triumph-inspiration-award.com

www.triumphinspirationaward.com

Triumph International is one of the world�'s largest underwear manufacturers. The company enjoys a presence in over 120 countries with its core brands TriumphŽ, sloggiŽ, ValisereŽ and HOMŽ. Triumph employs more than 42,000 people and achieves a turnover of CHF 2.4 billion (2006).

Contact

Triumph International

Karin Lukarsch

Phone: +49 (0) 89 5111-8339

Mail:

media@triumph.com