# Online Band Battles John Varvatos Teams with Island Records For Fashionable Competition By Rachel | Published 2009-04-21 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-varvatos-island-records References: [www6.islandrecords](http://www6.islandrecords.com/site/newsinfo.php) Starting today, unsigned bands can send in videos in hopes to work for Island Records and John Varvatos. The designer and the record company have teamed for an online [battle of the bands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-art-of-competition), which runs through July 31st. The competition is open to everyone and is entered through online video submissions. The winning band will receive a [recording contract with Island Records](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-wax-tracks1), as well as being featured in the [next John Varvatos USA campaign](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pour-homme-and-neighborhood). They will also be featured on SPIN Earth. The collaboration between Varvatos and Island Records comes as no surprise to followers of the Varvatos label. Music has always played a large role in the clothing designers line, featured not only in his designs, but further proven when the company purchased what was the home of CBGB. Musicians with original music are encouraged to send in applications starting today for a chance to work with both these great labels. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.8/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 16% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Online Band Battles:** Opportunity for unsigned bands to compete for a recording contract and fashion campaign collaboration. - **Fashion and Music Collaboration:** Increasing trend of fashion designers partnering with record labels to create unique opportunities for musicians. - **Digital Promotion and Exposure:** Growing trend of utilizing online video submissions to discover and promote emerging talent. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** Fashion industry has the opportunity to collaborate with musicians and incorporate music into their designs and marketing campaigns. - **Music:** Music industry can explore partnerships with fashion brands to amplify their exposure and discover talented unsigned bands. - **Digital Marketing:** Digital marketing industry can assist in creating and promoting online competitions to discover and showcase aspiring musicians. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Music-Themed Fashion Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upstream.md) - [Legacy Artist-Themed T-Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gap-1.md) - [Beer-Branded Fictitious Record Labels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coors-light-records.md) - [Music-Informed Fashion Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roc-nation-and-moncler.md) - [Album-Centric Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bandlab-x-d4vd.md) - [Music Event-Supporting Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2025-mtv-video-music-awards.md) - [Music-Inspired Fashion Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fashion-streaming-service.md) - [Label-Backed Musical Merch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warner-music.md) - [Music-Inspired Tequila Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/y-sol-tequila.md)