Do you think you have what it takes to be a fashion designer?

Then a national competition created by the organisers of the UK's largest celebration of Asian culture would like to hear from you.

The annual lifestyle event of the year Mela 2003 is back and is on the lookout for fresh new talent to show off their own creative talents and design an outfit that they might think deserves to be on the MELA Fashion Catwalk.

The Young Designer Competition invites anyone aged between 16 and 25 to create an outfit that fits a specific design brief, but also reflects the fusion of both Asian and Western fashion.

In the past few years there has been the amazing influence that Asian fashion has had in celebrity circles, as well on the High Street...with the likes of Nicole Kidman, Goldie Hawn, Madonna and even J-Lo taking inspiration from Asian fashion to make them stand out from the crowd.

This year's competition theme takes its inspiration from both culture and history, with the title 'From Monarch to Moghul'.

Entrants are required to create an outfit that blends the majestic fashion of the monarchy with the lavish style of the Moghul Empire. The combination of the two historical yet charismatic empires sees an opportunity to design an outfit that is fit for a Queen and grand enough for a Maharajah.

Twenty finalists will be selected from the entries and invited to make up their designs to be showcased on the MLEA 2003 Fashion catwalk, and to take pride of place in the Young Designer Exhibit for the three days of the show.

The closing date for entries is Friday 8th August 2003, with the Grand Final taking place at MELA 2003 on Friday 10th October.

Mela 2003 is a three-day showcase of the very best of Asian culture, and takes place at Wembley Exhibition Halls from Friday 10th October through to Sunday 12th October 2003.

For a design brief for the Mela 2003 Young Designer Competition call 020 8902 5575.