I’d Take Birth Control If It Came in a Designer Pouch

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Nina Garcia has found a new job. No she’s not helming Harpers Baazar, yet, instead the latin style goddette is judging a design competion for YAZ birth contol.  Oh how the cookies crumbled. While I am all for such competitions (we’ve helmed a few at fashion indie media) it’s disturbing to me that this is Nina’s first gig after her fresh booting from Elle. Not the way to go if you want to be taken seriously Nina.

What’s most interesting is that on their website, YAZ is still refering to Nina Garcia as “of Elle Magazine”. Did they not get the message?

So designers, if you want to get noticed by Nina Garcia (and more importantly win $10,000) be sure to submit some new packaging ideas for oral contraceptives.  Sexy kind of. Details after the jump or head to PillPackMakeover.com for more …

Fashion Guru Nina Garcia Launches National Design Competition

- Aspiring young designers give YAZ(R) birth control case a makeover -

WAYNE, N.J., April 30 /PRNewswire/ — Nina Garcia of the Emmy-nominated
series “Project Runway” is calling upon designer hopefuls everywhere to
submit contemporary and fashionable packaging concepts for the oral
contraceptive YAZ(R) (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol). In partnership
with Step Up Women’s Network, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated
to mentoring and empowering young women for advancement, and Bayer
HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Garcia announced today the launch of the “YAZ:
Step Up and Go Beyond” contest. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000
to help jumpstart a career in design.

“Whether you are an aspiring designer, graphic artist or simply the
office fashionista with a flair for what’s chic, now is the chance to put
your talent to the test and turn your visions into reality,” said Nina
Garcia.

Like many young women, Garcia dreamed of being in the fashion industry.
She started her career working in the public relations department for Perry
Ellis and its then head designer, Marc Jacobs. She then moved to Mirabella
magazine and later to Elle, gradually rising up the ranks, and today, she
is one of the world’s foremost fashion trendsetters.

“The design challenge we’re posing is a fashion transformation unlike
any other,” said Garcia. “We’re taking an iconic accessory — the birth
control case — and asking aspiring designers to take a shot at redesigning
it into a chic, more sophisticated carrying case that they could slip into
their purses.”

Contestants can enter the contest online at http://www.PillPackMakeover.com.
Design submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2008. On behalf of
Garcia, Step Up Women’s Network and Bayer HealthCare, one lucky winner will
receive $10,000 to invest in design classes or for the purchase of special
design materials and software. The contest winner will be announced around
the time of Fall Fashion Week 2008.

“At Step Up Women’s Network, we are dedicated to providing women with
opportunities for advancement — whether that’s in their careers, education
or just their everyday lives,” said Danielle Carrig, Executive Director of
Step Up Women’s Network. “In tandem with our mission, we are pleased to be
part of this unique and inspiring contest, which will tap the potential of
creative designers, and spotlight their talents that may otherwise have
gone unrecognized.”

Putting a Spotlight on Health

YAZ is the first and only oral contraceptive approved to treat the
emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms severe enough to impact a
woman’s life. These symptoms, called premenstrual dysphoric disorder
(PMDD), can include irritability, fatigue, moodiness, feeling anxious and
bloating. These symptoms can also significantly impact a woman’s quality of
life interfering with school, work or personal relationships with others.
YAZ is the only oral contraceptive (OC) that has been shown to be effective
in clinical studies to reduce monthly menstrual symptoms and improve
quality of life in women with PMDD.

In addition, YAZ is proven effective in treating moderate acne in women
seeking contraception. In recent studies, nine out of 10 women taking YAZ
saw improvement in their moderate acne. YAZ is the first and only oral
contraceptive on the market clinically proven to treat both PMDD and
moderate acne, providing women with health benefits beyond birth control.

About the “YAZ: Step Up and Go Beyond” Contest

The “YAZ: Step Up and Go Beyond” contest is a design competition open
to people age 18 or older. Registration is available online at
http://www.PillPackMakeover.com. Here, designers will be asked to fill out a
registration form and submit an electronic file of their design along with
a 100-word description. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

– Most embodies the theme of female empowerment (25%)
  — Most creative and original (25%)
  — Most discreet (25%)
  — Most fashion forward and stylish (25%)

Judges of the contest include Nina Garcia of “Project Runway”,
Executive Director of Step Up Women’s Network Danielle Carrig and Lauren
Streicher, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at
Northwestern University, Chicago. The contest is sponsored by Bayer
HealthCare, in partnership with Nina Garcia and Step Up Women’s Network.