For most, it is a difficult journey because of lack of contacts and support.

But next year the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival and Woolmark will join forces to make the transition a little easier for one designer.

Festival director Karen Webster is in Sydney today to announce the festival's partnership with Woolmark.

The respected Australian wool company is sponsoring the prestigious young designer award, and will support the winner on a overseas trip.

"The thing that impressed us about Woolmark is that the winning designer will be flown to (a fabric fair in) either Florence or Paris," she said. "Both these fairs are like the Mecca for designers.

"To be networked in a global environment like that is a money-can't-buy experience for an Australian designer."

Ms Webster said the award was a platform for designers to make their mark.

"What we're seeing is that our designer award has been established as the most prestigious award in Australia, and it's the kick start award for designers to then go on and work in a global environment," she said.

Woolmark spokeswoman Melissa Grace said the prize, which includes the trip and $10,000, was an opportunity for the company to support new talent.

"They will be introduced to the best spinners, knitters and mills in the world," she said. "This is an invaluable opportunity for the young designer."

She said the award was just one facet of the company's involvement with the Melbourne Fashion Festival, and that she expected the association to continue for some time.

Australian designers have already begun to show serious interest in the new prize.

"We've certainly been inundated with phone calls asking about it," Ms Webster said.

The enthusiasm is no surprise to Melbourne fashion label TV, which won the coveted designer award in 2006.

Ingrid Verner and Monica Tywanek won with their first collection and, almost two years on, have just returned from their first trip to the Paris trade shows.

They said the experience was daunting because of the sheer volume of designers and the level of networking involved.

"It's almost starting over again," Ms Tywanek said.