Champion is awarding funding to creatives like you
The sportswear brand’s Creators Programme returns for a second year, with a prize pot of $50,000 for grassroots creative projects demonstrating community impact. Here’s how to apply for the scheme.
In partnership with Champion
Words: Kyle MacNeill
When you hear Champion, you probably think of that outrageously comfortable hoodie you “borrowed” from a mate ages ago. The sportswear brand, after all, makes some of the comfiest clothing you can get your mitts on.
But it’s also a major player when it comes to creative collaborations. In the last few months alone, Champion has teamed up with Dover Street Market for a collection of collegiate staples; Percival for a nature-inspired range of embroidered sweats; and Rick Owens for a capsule of darkroom-ready gear. Head back into its golden vaults and you’ll find partnerships with everyone from Supreme to BAPE to Virgil Abloh.
Continuing this championing of creativity, the brand is bringing back its Creators Programme for summer 2024. It was launched last year as part of the No Permission campaign, which celebrated a curation of emerging, boundary-breaking creatives, including trash-to-treasure designer Anna Molinari and patchwork king Justin Mensinger, alongside some archival pieces where the Champion templates – blank tees or its signature reverse weave hoodie – were tweaked by streetwear legends like Supreme (yes, the megalith used to embroider directly onto Champion’s staples) and Kith.
The Creators Programme opens it up to the public, offering budding creatives funding, mentorship and skills sessions to help develop their most innovative initiatives focused on making a positive impact. The class of 2023 included Marissa Holbert, founder of women’s basketball project Pass Tha Ball; Mae Stokes, owner of sustainable crochet label WaistedByMae; and Daniel Villanueva, a cutting-edge augmented reality artist.
This time around, Champion are offering up to $5,000 or the choice of 500 blank garments each to ten athletes, artists and musicians with top ideas. It’s a chance, in the first place, for you to realise your creative visions. But it’s also a chance for Champion to scout the next generation of gamechangers.
So, basically, it’s a big W for creatives across the globe. Champing at the bit to get involved? Applications close in just a few days on 20th July, so make sure to get your form in by then to be in with a chance of securing funding. And a new hoodie for your mate.
