IRVINE, Calif., April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL, a leader in display technology across feature-rich smartphones, tablets, and connected devices, today announced the top three winners of its official partnership with the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles for the NXT in Fashion program.

At the start of the semester, TCL gifted the students of FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design program with the unique TCL NXTPAPER 11 tablet to sketch their designs for their final project, the FIDM Debut Fashion Show on March 29th. A renowned panel of judges evaluated their creations and bestowed cash prizes, furnished by TCL to the top designers. A grand prize of $10,000 was distributed: Ash ($1,000), Cam Wilson ($2,000), and the winner Ronald Harris Jr. ($7,000).

The judging panel was composed of notable alumni and figures from the fashion industry including: Candice Cuoco, Project Runway finalist and current Vice President of Creative at Frederick's Hollywood and House of Desire; Godoy, former Netflix Next in Fashion contestant and RuPaul's Drag Race designer; Marina Toybina, seven-time Emmy Award winning costume designer; Trinidad Garcia, marine veteran and owner of Trinidad3 Jeans; TJ Walker, FIDM faculty member and co-founder of Cross Colours and Black Design Collective; and TCL's Manager of Social Media Kaylaynn McAdams.

"I am super happy that my design was recognized by the NXT in Fashion judges," expressed Ronald Harris Jr., first place winner of the TCL NXT in Fashion program. "The judges' validation of my hard work means a lot to me. I plan to use the prize money to treat myself to a vacation and produce my next collection using the TCL NXTPAPER 11 tablet."

NXTPAPER technology uses a proprietary combination of software and hardware to deliver a more comfortable and natural look and feel. Unlike traditional LCD screens, the NXTPAPER 11 has a matte finish and textured screen to offer a paper-like experience, which is more familiar to creators. Additionally, the screens reduce harmful blue light by up to 61% which is an added benefit for designers who are often staring at screens for extended periods of time.

"Seeing these students utilize our technology to thrive in their field helps reaffirm our commitment to living up to our brand ethos of Inspire Greatness," said Ian Nichols, Director of Marketing at TCL. "We are incredibly proud of how the NXT in Fashion Program has been able to support the future generation of artists and designers."

A recap of the NXT in Fashion program can be viewed on TCL's social channels Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube, including the winning designers, alongside the latest news from TCL.

About Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) is an internationally recognized college with over 70,000 alumni. A private institute for specialized professional education, FIDM is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). FIDM's degree programs are designed to enhance a variety of educational backgrounds and prepare students for the global industries of fashion, tech, beauty, and entertainment. The college is headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, California.

About TCL Communication
TCL Communication specializes in the research, development and manufacturing of smartphones, tablets and connected devices. On a mission to deliver 5G for all, TCL Communication helps its customers 'Inspire Greatness' in their lives through industry leading technology and solutions. TCL Communication is a wholly owned subsidiary of TCL Electronics. For more information on TCL mobile devices, please visit: https://www.tcl.com/global/en/mobile.

Alcatel is a trademark of Nokia used under license by TCL Communication.

About TCL Electronics
TCL Electronics (1070.HK) is one of the world's fastest-growing consumer electronics companies and one of the world's leading television and mobile device manufacturers (TCL Communication is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TCL Electronics). For more than 40 years TCL has operated its own manufacturing and R&D centers worldwide, with products sold in more than 160 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. TCL specializes in the research, development and manufacturing of consumer electronics ranging from TVs, mobile phones, audio devices and smart home products. For more information on TCL devices, please visit: http://www.tcl.com/global/en.html.

TCL is a registered trademark of TCL Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.