Local - Global was the theme for the Europe-wide competition for the Award of the Stiftung der Deutschen Bekleidungsindustrie 2006. One of the foundation's major goals, founded in 1977, is to provide valuable support for young and upcoming designers.

Wanted are designs based on local apparel culture, which provide their own attitude and identity in the market. The invitation was extended to European fashion and design institutes to combine these local elements into a new and globally attractive symbolism in their entries. As part of this European design competition the first-ever, special award for “Fashion and Brand” will be handed out in cooperation with the brand consulting company Interbrand Zintzmeyer & Lux. The award honors distinctive brand segments for fashion labels based on special values.

At the end of the jury meeting everyone was surprised: even though there were three times as many entries than in 2005 with 110 term papers and projects by 165 participants from ten countries, four of the five selected projects, or better, winners, came from East Germany. And the winning team from Switzerland consists of two industrial and one media designer.