Los Angeles, California - August 2022 - Curacao, the largest Hispanic-serving retailer on the West Coast, is proudly partnering with FIDM, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, to announce a contest for students to design a three-piece handbag collection exclusively for Curacao customers.

More than two dozen selected FIDM students will be tasked with designing a handbag collection that pays homage to Hispanic heritage, combined with a contemporary American twist. The students' designs will include elements of celebration and inclusion prevalent in Hispanic culture, fused with the perspective of the domestically-born generation. Students will present their designs to a selection panel of judges who will choose the winner based on design technique, marketability, and best capturing the conceptual guidelines.

The grand prize consists of a one-year scholarship, valued up to $38,000—and the opportunity to have their handbag designs sold at Curacao stores online and nationwide.

The winner's design and the product development process will be showcased on Curacao and FIDM's joint Instagram account, @CuracaoXFIDM. The products will be produced and launch for the retailer's Spring 2023 collection.

In addition to the grand prize, all selected participants are eligible to win a variety of prizes, including 3 MacBook Pro laptops, 3 MacBook Air laptops, 3 iPad Pro tablets, 3 iPhone 13 Pro Max smartphones, 6 Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphones, and 6 Samsung S9 tablets— altogether valued at $30,000.

"At Curacao, we believe in empowering creativity through education. Supporting young bright minds in our community is one of our Curacao Foundation pillars," said Ariela Nerubay, Curacao's Chief Marketing Officer. "This scholarship opportunity is an expression of the commitment we have for the communities we serve."

"We much prefer leveraging the local infinite talent we have rather than outsourcing it overseas," added Reuven Hayun, Sr. VP for Product Management at Curacao. "We hope that this first-ever collaboration with FIDM will benefit both the students as well as Curacao customers, making it a recurring event."

The selected winner will be announced by the end of September 2022.

About Curacao

Curacao is an Omni channel retailer and lender dedicated to extending credit options to hardworking, low-to-moderate income individuals in need of quality home and tech products, travel, export and money transfer services at low monthly payments. With Curacao's Price and Interest Beat Guarantees, customers' purchases are price protected for up to 15 days after purchase and interest rates guaranteed at the lowest qualifying rate. A percentage of every purchase made at Curacao supports the advancement of local communities through the Curacao Foundation. Curacao serves customers online, over the phone, and in-person in English and Spanish in Arizona, California and Nevada. For more information, visit iCuracao.com, iCuracao.com/beat and iCuracao.com/fundacion

The Curacao Foundation was established in 2001. It is a private foundation dedicated to building a future in which communities are financially strong, socially empowered, respected and included. The Curacao Foundation supports a broad range of community partner organizations through general operation and program grants. Much of the grant making focus of the Foundation is on organizations and institutions within a 10-mile radius surrounding each Curacao retail location and in organizations focusing on health/well-being, education and immigration. For more information: iCuracao.com/foundation

About FIDM

FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) is a private college located in Downtown Los Angeles. FIDM prepares its students with the knowledge and experience necessary to succeed in their future creative careers. The college's alumni have gone on to work for companies such as Tiffany & Co, Savage x Fenty, and The Estée Lauder Companies.

Related Links

iCuracao.com

https://foundation.icuracao.com

https://fidm.edu