Trieste , Italy ( CNN ) -- Nudging the border with Slovenia in Italy 's far north-east , the mysteriously underrated city of Trieste is largely known for its stately , Habsburg-era architecture , exquisite coffee , and traditional regattas . But for a few days every year in July , it 's also one of the most important places on the planet to discover the next best thing in the world of fashion design . Since launching in 2002 , the International Talent Support ( ITS ) contest has invited students from 70 countries -- spanning a network of nearly 1000 schools and universities -- to compete for a breadth of awards , celebrating not just clothes , but jewelery , accessories and , for the first time this year , art . In doing so , it 's become a ganglion for industry honchos who , if they 're not otherwise adjudicating the awards , can be found trawling the vast exhibition hall for indications of the next Prada , Versace or McQueen . `` This is all about young creativity , '' says ITS director Barbara Franchin . `` They 're the future , so of course we must offer them friendship and support . '' Being a fashion event , no one is ever more than a few feet away from a poised camera-phone , and so the highlights are a dish best served on social media ... .
Paris plays host to the annual Fashion Support contest . The awards recognize the most promising new talent in fashion design . So , which of these young pretenders will be the next big thing ?