By Sarah Nicole Prickett

Brilliant bit of news for a beleaguered biz: the Ontario government’s giving young love—for fashion design—a chance with a new Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships program in cohort with the Toronto Fashion Incubator. The $70,000 grant from the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services will fund A Passion for Fashion, YES, and TFI’s new project for maybe-someday design stars. The project will target youth and high school students in thirteen priority, underprivileged neighbourhoods in Toronto, said YES prez Nancy Schaefer in this morning’s announcement. Of the expected one hundred–plus applicants, twenty-five will be chosen for a Dragon’s Den–style competition; the winner gets expert mentorship, a monetary prize, and a year’s membership and studio space at TFI. “It’s such a nurturing place, and even the competition among designers is positive,” said designer David Dixon, who “came from meagre beginnings” himself before launching his fashion career with the Incubator. “This is a great opportunity to network, and to work for yourself.”