New York, NY, July 2007 - Be one of the seven designers to join the ranks of some of the biggest names in the world of fashion. The search is on for the fashion stars of tomorrow, as the Ecco Domani® Fashion Foundation (EDFF), established by stylish Ecco Domani Italian wines, launches its seventh annual season. Seven promising fashion designers - five womenswear, one menswear and new this year, one accessories designer - could win an extraordinary opportunity to showcase their collection during New York's fall fashion week. The EDFF awards each come with a generous grant of $25,000 to help produce an unforgettable show. Some of today's hottest designers including Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Doo Ri, Rag & Bone and Erin Fetherston are past recipients.

"Winning the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award was such a huge honor," said Erin Fetherston, 2007 EDFF winner. "The program is so enabling for emerging designers. It allows us to showcase our designs in one of the grandest fashion events of the year, New York Fashion Week. I would never have been able to do this without their support."

"Along with my fellow judges, I'm looking forward to scouting the talents for the 2008 awards. The word domani in Ecco Domani is the perfect metaphor for what the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation awards represent to the American fashion industry: Tomorrow," says Marylou Luther, editor of The International Fashion Syndicate.

The rigorous judging process is administered by an esteemed panel of judges in the women's, men's and accessories categories. The selections committee for womenswear as well as women's accessories, includes Marylou Luther (Editor of The International Fashion Syndicate), Sally Singer (Fashion News/Features Director at Vogue), Kim Hastreiter (Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Paper), Nicole Fischelis (Fashion Director at Macy's), Julie Gilhart (Vice President of Fashion Merchandising at Barneys), Ruth Finley (Publisher of The Fashion Calendar) and the newest judge, Ken Downing (Senior Vice President/Fashion Director at Neiman Marcus). The selections committee for menswear includes Armand Limnander (Senior Editor of T: The New York Times Style Magazine), Jay Bell (buyer for Menswear Designs at Barneys New York), and Madeline Weeks (Fashion Director at GQ).

Interested candidates can find out more and download an application form for the 2008 EDFF award starting this month on www.eccodomani.com. Closing date for the seventh season is October 5, 2007. Finalists will be announced by January 2, 2008. Complete requirements and official rules are available online.