Retail Week launches 08 awards

On September 6th, Retail week launches the Retail Week Awards 08. Retailers are invited to apply online. The deadline closes on November 2 nd and winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on March 13 th, 2008 at Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London. Like previous years several categories are selected, which include Retail Advertising Campaign of the Year, Shopping Location of the Year supported by Land Securities and Emerging Retailer of the Year made possible by Numis.

Awards like The Retailer of the Year will be judged conducted by specialists within each area and a selected panel will be responsible for choosing a winner in each category from the shortlist. Prior to the retail trade awards, Retail Week will host a two-day conference exploring the changes and opportunities in the retail industry. Event details tba.

www.retailweek-awards.co.uk
15 August 2007

Longchamp participates in ANDAM awards

French accessories house Longchamp will this year participate in the ANDAM fashion and accessories awards. ANDAM, which is organised by the French Ministry of Culture, has been granting fellowships to those who have excelled in the creation of contemporary fashion and accessories for almost twenty years. This year, Longchamp will join the time-honoured tradition as a private partner. The firm is being represented at the awards by its artistic director Sophie Delafontaine.

Big names in fashion who have ANDAM to thank for their initial discovery include Martin Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, Jeremy Scott and Cathy Phill. Four new talents have been selected this year. The awards ceremony will be held in October, during the Semaine des Col lections in Paris . The four selected winners are: Richard Nicoll, who will receive a €52,000 prize from L'Oréal Professionnel, Swarovski and Galeries Lafayette; Bruno Pieters, the Belgian designer who will be awarded €36,000 by Pierre Bergé and the Yves Saint Laurent Foundation; Commuun, who will receive €40,000 from LVMH and Longchamp; and Toga, who has been awarded €20,000 to create a women's collection for spring 2008 for the Japanese department store group Beams.

www.andam.fr
25 June 2007

Tomas Maier receives Forum Preis award

Tomas Maier, in the midst of prepping for the opening of the largest Bottega Veneta store in the world in Tokyo's Ginza district, was honored by German trade magazine TextilWirschraft with this year's Forum Preis award, which recognizes creativity and excellence in design, on May 9 at Heidelberg's Print Media Academy. The native German, and Bottega Veneta creative director, is the first fashion designer to receive the award.

“It's especially moving to receive this award in Germany, where I was born and raised, and in the company of so many esteemed designers and business leaders,” Maier said in a statement. “The Forum's commitment to our industry, and to the support of young designers, has made an important difference to the world of design. I think that Bottega Veneta, with its Italian heritage, German-born creative director, French chairman, and international customers, reflects the future of our community.”

www.bottegaveneta.com
14 May 2007

Fashion Fringe launch

Fashion Fringe, the Tom Ford chaired competition that aims to discover and nurture the best of British design talent, on Tuesday launched its official 2007 competition with a party at the Dorcester Hotel in London. Fashion Fringe, the brainchild of fashion author Colin McDowell and IMG, has to date seen fashion success stories with winners Basso & Brooke and Erdem, as well as runners up Sinha Stanic, all of whom are selling to renowned worldwide stockists and have managed to start up successful labels and brands.

The event saw the who’s who of the industry celebrate one of Britain’s most important fashion endeavours, and included Tom Ford, Vogue.com’s editor Dolly Jones and International Herald Tribune’s Suzie Menkes and Net-a-porter founder Nathalie Massanet.

Fashion Fringe 2007 will see the fourth year of the competition, arguably the hottest thing to hit British fashion in the last 20 years. Fashion Fringe looks for cutting edge, iconoclastic talent in design and creativity to continue the tradition Britain has long been famous for. The closing dates for applications is April 27th, 2007. For more information go to www.fashionfringe.co.uk

15 March 2007

Wallpaper* 3 rd annual design awards

On Wednesday Wallpaper* magazine hosted its third annual Design Awards in London. The magazine launched the endeavour back in 2005 in their January issue. The awards, which were held in association with Jaguar, honoured the best design in 62 categories, ranging from Best Armchair, Best Beauty brand, Best Fashion Col lection to Best Church and Best Hotel Chain.

Jeremy Langmead, the magazine's editor in chief stated: "Choosing the nominees and winners from the wealth of talent we come across each year is always challenging but an exciting process. We had an extraordinary group of external judges - Jane Birkin, Ian Schrager and viktor & Rolf," amongst others. In fashion, Prada, Pierre Hardy, Tods, Peter Jensen and Fred Perry took the accolades. In beauty and grooming, Dior Homme took best new beauty regime.

Guests from the design and 'who's who'communities frolicked to the prestigious Hayward Gallery where the event was held. DJ Erol Alkan, famous for remixing Mylo, Bloc Party and Scissor Sisters looked after the music - "a conveyor belt of good feeling." The current issue of Wallpaper* featuring the complete list of winners is out now.

www.wallpaper.com
10 January 2007

British Fashion Awards

Thursday was the evening of the British Fashion Awards, the industry's most glamorous annual affair. Kate Moss took home the honour of model of the year over nominees Erin O'Connor and Alek Wek. Moss' career has skyrocketed this year, and as was recently reported, in the past 12 months Moss has been re-signed by the major fashion houses, allegedly doubling her salary. She recently signed a lucrative £3million contract with Top Shop and Arcadia owner Phillip Green to create a new fashion range.

Other winners at the ceremony, which took place at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South West London include fashion darling Giles Deacon, who recently launched a collaboration with Mulberry, for designer of the year, and Vivienne Westwood, who won the Red Carpet Designer award.

Directional boutique B Store, who's success in its new Savile Row premises has not gone unnoticed, beat Harrods and Liberty to the retailer of the year award and Joan Burstein took the outstanding achievement in fashion award for her role in launching major designers such as John Galliano, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani.

3 November 2006

Knight of nights

Nick Knight last night was the recipient of the prestigious Moët & Chandon Fashion Tribute 2006. To mark the occasion, he threw a lavish and spectacular Masked Ball at Strawberry Hill House, the gothic villa once belonging to Horace Walpole. Previous recipients of the award include Vivienne Westwood and Matthew Williamson. The event was attended by a truly A-list crowd, including Gisele Bundchen, Scarlett Johannson, Roland Mouret, Alexander McQueen, Kate Moss and Suzy Menkes. A wealth of international personalities from the world of media, photography, music and design came to celebrate Nick's successful career as one of the world's most important fashion photographers.

The party was pure fashion debauchery, with grown men fencing, a twelve piece orchestra, a modern reworking of Cinderella, karaoke (even Kate Moss got up to do a track) and regency dancing. DJ Princess Julia from London 's East End finished the evening with a set of 80s disco, that had the likes of Erin O'Connor dancing until the early hours.

In the month running up to the Nick's Moët Chandon tribute, Show Studio viewers were asked to compete for a golden ticket to the Bal Masqué by guessing each of the twelve mystery muses that posed for the image on the invitation to the ball. Working from four sets of clues on each -an abstracted portrait of each by Nick Knight, a description by the designer that proposed them, a heavily disguised clip of them talking and finally a visual anagram by Shona Heath- Ronit Yadin from London finally guessed that the muses were as follows: Kate Moss, Sara Stockbridge, Tafari, Charlotte Stockdale, Camilla Nickerson, Katy England, KT Shillingford, Asia Argento, Roland Mouret, Morgane Dubled, Gisele Bundchen and Ali Richards.

Nick Knight is possibly the most influential British fashion photographer. He has won numerous awards for his editorial work for Vogue , Dazed & Confused , i-D , The Face and Visionaire , as well as for fashion and advertising projects such as the 2004 edition of the Pirelli Calendar . Knight has also shot record covers for Elvis Costello and the Attractions , Björk , David Bowie , Kylie Minogue and Massive Attack .

Knight's first book of photographs, Skinheads, was published in 1982. He has since produced Nicknight, a twelve year retrospective, and Flora, a series of flower pictures, both published by Schirmer Mosel . Knight's work has been exhibited at such institutions as the Victoria & Albert Museum , Saatchi Gallery , the Photographers' Gallery and Hayward Gallery . He has also produced a permanent installation, Plant Power, for the Natural History Museum in London. Photos of the Bal Masqué can be seen on Vogue.com.

25 October 2006

Ben Sherman celebrates 3 fashion awards

Ben Sherman has become the first company to win three UK Fashion Export Awards in one year. The lifestyle brand was rewarded for making impressive strides into the US market by picking up the Multi-Channel and Export Initiative awards as well as the prestigious Gold Award for Exporter of the Year. The brand has pushed itself upmarket in the US and has opened a flagship store in New York to support its burgeoning wholesale business.

Burberry's departing chief executive Rose Marie Bravo was names Export Personality of the Year. Under her guidance the brand has raised sales to the US by 83 per cent to £166m between 2001 and 2005. La Petite Salope and Piston Panties also enjoyed success. The former, a directional designer label, won the Export Newcomer Award and the latter, hich sells its vintage inspired swimwear to Saks in New York , picked up the Lingerie/Beachwear Award.

Tateossian won the Accessories category and Tickittyboo landed the Childresnwear Award. John Smedley won the Menswear Award and Bellville Sasson Lorcan Mullany won the Womenswear Award. The prized included an advert in Drapers Record for free as well as free stand at Premier Kids and Pure Accessories from Emap Retail. Winners further received a £20,000 package from FedEx Europe, legal help and advice from solicitor Fox Williams, stands at Lyon Mode City and either rPret a Porter Paris or The Train in New York .

1 June 2006

Burberry Chief wins UK Fashion Expert Awards

Rose Marie Bravo, who steps down as Burberry chief executive in July, scooped the award for Export Personality of the Year at the annual U.K. Fashion Export Awards. Bravo, who wore a navy blue trapeze coat with shiny buttons, and stacked heels, curtsied to Anne, the Princess Royal, the charity's patron, after receiving the honor during a gala lunch at London's Landmark Hotel.

"I'm very proud — and especially proud of my team," said Bravo, who'd invited a representative from each Burberry department to the lunch. The awards celebrate British fashion brands that have made strides in foreign markets. It's a big week for Bravo. Today, she will make her final presentation to financial markets as Burberry's chief when the company announces its 2004-'05 fiscal results. "It's been a long goodbye," she said. "I'm sad to be leaving the team, my people — and this fantastic country."

25 May 2006

Scottish Fashion Awards

The nominations for the first Scottish Fashion Awards have been announced this week. There are nine awards categories honouring designers, retailers, models, textile manufacturers and fashion stylists. The finalists will be judged by a panel and announced at a star-studded ceremony hosted by TV personality Jenni Falconer at Stirling Castle on 7 May.

Nominees include model Kirsty Hume, cashmere designer Belinda Robertson and the Ultimo brand, run by Michelle Mone.

The awards will also honour two individuals being inducted into the Scottish Fashion Awards Hall of Fame. The first is late designer Bill Gibb, who revolutionised the British fashion during the 1970s and 80s, dressing the likes of Twiggy, Bianca Jagger and Elizabeth Taylor.

Born in Fraserburgh, he was the only Scot to have been awarded Vogue Designer of the Year.

The second is photographer Albert Watson, whose images have appeared on more than 250 Vogue covers.

Though blind in one eye, Albert studied graphic design at the College of Art in Dundee and film at the Royal College of Art in London. Each winner will receive a handcrafted art piece specially designed by internationally-renowned Scottish sculptor Andy Scott.

People in Retail Awards

It's not always the clothes that maketh the man or woman; retailers now have the chance to prove their staff are their most prized assets, by entering their employees and their company in the 'People in Retail awards'.The Retail Bulletin's 'People in Retail Awards' which are being produced in association with Creation Financial Services, will recognise that it is people that make the difference in Retail - enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment are strengths that your staff bring to your business, transforming an everyday shopping trip into real retail therapy.

The Retail Bulletin recently published that workers in the retail industry provided one of the lowest ratings of their company as a place to work compared to other industries, according to a recent Hay Group Insight Employee Survey Benchmark Report.

As retail becomes more and more competitive, stores are open longer hours, staffing is stretched and employees have to work harder with more varied hours, mandatory weekends, late hours, and split shifts.

The Retail Bulletin's 'People In Retail Awards' gives the retailer the ideal opportunity to recognise the hugely important contribution of staff that make companies flourish.

The awards are free to enter and the entry deadline is June 15th. For more information call Zoe Allen, Awards Administrator, on 01737 734953.

Drapers' Fashion Industry Awards Finalists

It is once again time for the Drapers Awards, which will be held at Grosvenor House on 23 November this year. The Drapers Awards, organised by the British fashion business weekly Drapers, is now in its 15 th year and recognizes the best in the industry.

Awards will be given in nineteen categories, including the new Etailer of the Year, Value/Discount Retailer of the Year, Best New Store or Best New Department, Sales Assistant of the Year, and the Drapers Lifetime Achievement Award.

The awards are regarded very highly within the fashion industry. Last year's winner River Island enjoyed the fruits of its win. "We have put decals in all our store windows to make customers aware of the Award, thus increasing awareness and ultimately bringing new customers into stores," said managing director Richard Bradbury.

This year's nominees include ASOS for Etailer of the Year, Monsoon for Multiple of the Year and Asda, Peacock and Tesco for Best Value/Discount retailer. Past winners include River Island, G-Star, Ted Baker and Bratz. For a full list of nominees go to: www.drapersawards.co.uk

24 October 2005

British Fashion Awards

The list of judges for this year's British Fashion Awards, which will take place at the Raphael Gallery of the V&A museum on 10 November, was revealed on Friday.

The power panel includes Net-a-Porter's Natalie Massenet, Browns Focus buyer Yasmin Sewell, Charlie Harrington of the Sunday Telegraph Magazine, Jeremy Langmead of Wallpaper, Roger Tredre of WGSN and Claire Wilcox, the senior curator of modern fashion at the V&A.

The panel is meeting this week to discuss the winners from a shortlist in eight categories, which was put together by the BFC press committee, headed up by Vogue editor Alexandra Schulman.

www.bfc.co.uk
24 October 2005

Next voted High Street Retailer of the year

High Street shoppers have voted Next the High Street Retailer of the Year. At an awards ceremony hosted by Jeff Banks for the annual Prima High Street Fashion Awards, Next was presented with four awards including Best Casual Clothes, Best Smart Clothes, Best Home Shopping as well as the top accolade - High Street Retailer of the Year.

These awards are the Oscars of the British High Street fashion scene, which is considered to be the best in the world.

21 September 2005

Scottish fashion awards to be launched in 2006

Glasgow-based PR company, The TFF Agency, has announced the launch of the Scottish Fashion Awards, which takes place in May 2006. The awards have been developed to recognise outstanding achievements of, and/or contributions to, the fashion industry by Scottish individuals and companies.

New York-based Scottish model Lauren Tempany - who has modelled for Julien Macdonald, Nicole Farhi, Miuccia Prada and Alexander McQueen among others - is the face for the awards, appearing on all promotional material. Details of the judging panel and criteria are announced this month.

13 September 2005

Vera Wang wins CFDA award

New York based designer Vera Wang was named Womenswear Designer of the Year during the 2005 CFDA Fashion Awards. The annual event was held in New York Public Library with a myriad of celebrities in attendance, like Anne Hathaway, Eva Mendes, Claire Danes, David Bowie and Iman, Heidi Klum, Mandy Moore, Linda Evangelista, Nicole Richie and Seal.

Other honorees included John Varvatos, who was named Menswear Designer of the Year, and Marc Jacobs who won the Accessory Designer of the Year award. Derek Lam won Swarovski's Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent Womenswear. Meanwhile Alexandre Plokhlov for Cloak received that award for Emerging Talent Menswear, while Anthony Camargo and Nak Armstrong for Anthony Nak won the Swarovski's Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent Accessory Design.

Diane von Furstenberg received the accolade of Lifetime Achievement Award, while supermodel Kate Moss won the Award for Fashion Influence. Lanvin's creative director, Alber Elbaz, accepted the International Award. "Our evening celebrates an industry filled with diverse, uniquely American, talent. In both the emerging and established designer categories, the American fashion industry is a vital, competitive force in the global market," said Peter Arnold, Executive Director of the CFDA.

The evening was endorsed by Swarovski. The firm's Vice President of International Communications, Nadja Swarovski said: "We are delighted to once again continue our role as a mentor to the nominees and to be a part of this huge step in their careers. We hope to support and encourage the caliber of success that previous Swarovski Perrry Ellis Award winners such as Zac Posen and Proenza Schouler have achieved."

www.cfda.com
15 June 2005

P. Diddy's women

Sean Combs, aka P. Diddy, has his eye on the prize. Or rather, on the CFDA Womenswear Award. Having won the CFDA for menswear last June, he has now set his sights on the next goal. "We're going to press forward until I get that one for women's," he told Women's Wear Daily.

The music and fashion mogul is delighted to have found Jenny La Fata to replace Max Wilson as vice president of Sean John Womenswear. "There's not a lot of people who I'm going to entrust one of the most anticipated launches in a long time to. You have to have a creative fit and when you find that, it's a great day - and there's a lot of stress released."

Elaborating on what type of woman he designs for, Combs said: "The Sean John woman really thinks the paparazzi is out to take her picture at every moment when she's walking down the street. Even if she doesn't have the platinum record out, she believes the paparazzi want her picture and she dresses for it. She's got to combine street and sophistication - and that's an art." And apparently La Fata stands for everything that Combs believes a woman should be. "Look at her," he said. "She's sporty, street and sexy."

La Fata was originally Combs' choice for the position as head honcho of womenswear, but she became creative director of La Rok when Combs hired Wilson from Polo Ralph Lauren. However, when Wilson decided to resign, Combs was forced to find a replacement. He noticed La Fata's designs. "I kept seeing these styles around, and it was always La Rok. So I was like 'find out who does this'". The rest, as they say, is history.

La Fata confessed: "It just feels like it was meant to be all along."

www.seanjohn.com
18 April 2005

Up for the prize

The Council of Fashion Designers of America's annual ceremony is on the way and a number of celebrity nominees must be biting their manicured nails in anticipation. On 6 June the event, which has been called the fashion industry's Oscars, will honour fashion's best and brightest during a dazzling in the New York Public Library.

Up for the Award for Fashion Influence is none other than living fashion legend Kate Moss. This new award replaces the former Fashion Icon Award, which was presented to Sarah Jessica Parker last year. The Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Diane Von Furstenburg, while Alber Elbaz of Lanvin will receive the International Award. Norma Kamali will be honoured with the Board of Directors' Special Tribute.

The Womenswear Designer of the Year award will go to either Marc Jacobs, Ralph Rucci or Vera Wang, while the Menswear tribute will go to either Ralph Lauren, John Bartlett or John Varvatos. Marc Jacobs is also in the running for the Accessories award, together with Michael Kors for M&J Savitt and Gerard Yosca.

Executive director fo the CFDA, Peter Arnold, said: "The 2005 CFDA Fashion Awards nomiees and honorees represent an impressive cross-section of creative talents in the American fashion industry." He added that this years' Eleanor Lambert award would not be included in the cermony. "It's not an award categroy the board felt strongly about (this year). We decided to not give one and we'll wait until there's someone deserving," he said. Previous winners of this award include fashion business personalities like Kal Ruttenstein and Rose Marie Bravo.

The up and coming designers in the running for the Perry Ellis Awards are Derek Lam, Behnaz Sarafpour and Peter Som for womenswear, Thom Browne, Rogan Gregory and Cloak's Alexandre Plokhov for mens'wear and Anthony Carmengo, Nak Armstrong, Hollywould's Holly Dunlap and Devi Kroell for accessories.

www.cfda.com
31 March 2005

Photographers receive Walk of Style award

Photographers Mario Testino and Herb Ritts have received the Walk of Style award on Rodeo Drive for their contributions to the merging worlds of entertainment and fashion. In addition to a street party hosted by Anjelica Huston and Anna Wintour, more than 50 photographs by both men will also be featured in an exhibition on Rodeo Drive and in the Beverly Hills Golden Triangle through May 1.

Like Ritts, who died of complications from pneumonia in late 2002, Testino's iconic imagery has become part of the visual lexicon of the last two decades. Their work encompasses distinctive portraits of legendary figures and fashion campaigns that have become advertising hallmarks.

The first recipient of the Walk of Style award was Giorgio Armani, in 2003. He was followed by Tom Ford last year. The committee's decision to go with photographers this year reflects the increasing symbiosis of celebrity and fashion, a theme central to the work of both artists.

19 March 2005

Bullring wins BCSC award

The Bullring in Birmingham has won the BCSC's Supreme Gold Award at a ceremony to mark the UK's outstanding shopping centres and retail destinations. The Bullring was highlighted amongst three new and three established schemes, all of which were honoured with BCSC Gold Awards.

The Supreme Gold Award was made to Bullring, Birmingham, for the scheme that has "moved the industry forward" the most during the year. The BCSC Golds are designed to reward excellence in retail-led developments that generate improvements to the quality of the built environment.

8 December 2004

Glamour Back At This Week's British Fashion Awards

The Brits were back on fashion-force at this week's British Fashion Awards. Held at the Victoria and Albert museum, designers and celebrities dressed up in style for the sophisticated, yet low-key event. Hosted by Kirsty Young, who looked stunning in an elegant halterneck column dress by Roland Mouret, many of the evening's stars chose beautiful red-carpet dresses and understated elegance over the season's fashion trends.

Winner of the best retailer award, net-a-porter.com's Nathalie Massenet, wore a silk gauze, tiered black dress by Moschino, as did up-and-coming actress Sienna Guillory in a mini dress with chiffon sleeves from the same label. Other well known guests included actress Joely Richardson, who wore a sheen-satin, strapless balck cocktail dress and model Erin O'Connor who wore a full-lenth fringed Missoni halter neck dress.

Guests draped faux and real fur shrugs over their shoulders to keep the cold at bay in the draughty museum foyer. Chloe's designer Phoebe Philo, who won Designer of the Year award, chose a mohair version of the shrug. Bryan Ferry's girlfriend, however, had no qualms about wearing the real thing.

4 November 2004

Philo reigns

Last night at the British Fashion Awards, Phoebe Philo was named Designer of the Year. The Chloe designer, who took over the reigns from Stella McCartney, received the award from Bryan Ferry. 31 year old Philo, who is expecting her first baby later this year, beat nominees Roland Mouret and Christopher Bailey to the punch.

Other winners last night included Alexander McQueen as Best Menswear Designer, Giles Deacon as best newcomer and the Fashion Creator Award went to make-up artist Pat McGrath. The legendary photographer, David Bailey, won the V&A's award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion. Net-a-porter.com won Best Shop, leaving fellow nominees Asprey and Matthew Williamson in its wake.

3 November 2004

And the winner is…

Last night at the Cosmetic Executive Women Awards at Claridges, Vivienne Westwood was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the fashion business. She was presented the award by none other than Sarah Ferguson, who was appropriately dressed in head to toe Vivienne Westwood.

28 October 2004

Proenza Schouler CFDA winner

The design team and Hollywood, Proenza Schouler, favourite took home the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award last week. Designer Alexandre Plohkov, of menswear brand Cloak, and Nicole and Michael Colovos, of sportwear line Habitual, won the runners-up slots.

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards was launched in September 2003 to pormote and support creative and business development of up-market new designers. The underwriters of the award - Vogue, Barney's and the Kellwood Company - allotted $300,000 prize money to the competition. $200,000 is awarded to the winner with $50,000 going to each of the runners-up.

18 October 2004

Young Fashion Designers Awards

Fashion Designers' and Craft makers Network (FDCN) are presenting their third annual young design award this autumn at the City Temple in Holborn London. This award is targeted at young people aged 9-20 years from all boroughs of London who are uniquely gifted in fashion design.

With a vision to establish a major young design exhibition which will enable young cutting edge creators to become more visible in the British fashion industry, FDCN aims to raise awareness and identify, those who have the potential to break through the boundaries of creativity and become world leaders like Vivienne Westwood or Julien Macdonald.

Designers from all London boroughs are invited to register for the by calling: 07940 647 102 or email: youngdesignerawards@yahoo.com

18 August 2004

UK Fashion Export Awards

The UK Fashion Export Awards have once again demonstrated the strength of the UK fashion market, with the 10 winners driving healthy sales growth of British clothing and accessories overseas.

Among the ten winners receiving awards from HRH The Princess Royal in London were Orla Kiely, one of London's leading designers, and high-street retailer French Connection.

The awards mark success and support performance in the fashion apparel export sector, which is worth GBP3bn annually. This year's winners sold GBP93.3m of goods abroad between them in 2003, up by 16.48 per cent from 2002. This marks a strong recovery from 2001, when winners' sales abroad grew by only 0.22 per cent. Export sales represent 12 to 90 per cent of the total sales of each winning business.

Paul Alger, executive director, UK Fashion Exports, said: "These figures put pay to critics who think that UK fashion doesn't cut it in the international arena.
"Quirky and classic British fashions have unique appeal to consumers throughout the world and sell well thanks to good quality and great design. Many of the winners produce their goods in the UK, supporting our home-grown skills base and British clothing manufacturers."

Designer of the Year is Dublin-born Orla Kiely, for whom exports make up 70 per cent of total sales. Her collection of clothing and accessories, noted for its trademark prints, bold use of colour and clean designs, is sold in 25 countries.
High-street fashion retailer French Connection scoops the Gold Award, which is sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland, in recognition of its consistent export performance over the last three years. French Connection has more than 1,500 outlets worldwide in 25 countries, and exports account for 25per cent of its sales.
David Whitlock, managing director of sponsor The Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "We are delighted to sponsor the awards again this year and recognise the efforts of the finalists as they seek new opportunities and markets for their products.

"Overseas markets are an important aspect of the fashion industry, and with such developments as the recent enlargement of the EU, it will be interesting to see how these new opportunities develop."

The strongest sales growth is shown by Net-a-Porter, winner of the E-tailer Award. It has doubled sales each year since its launch in June 2000 and has maintained more than 50per cent of its sales outside its UK base.

22 June 2004

PinkyAccessories E-business Startup finalist

Fashion Jewelry and Accessories label PinkyAccessories.com has been named E-business Startup finalist for the 2003 e-Commerce Awards London Region. Combining a modern and feminine range with intricate boho and vintage pieces alongside sparkly bracelets and funky brooches, the online store is a functional shopping site for both retail and wholesale customers worldwide.

For further information please visit www.pinkyaccessories.com

23 September 2003

And The Winner is…

Emotion got the better of Narciso Rodriquez as he was awarded the top gong at last night's CFDA Awards. The one-time protégé of Calvin Klein, who arrived with Rachel Weisz, paid a tearful tribute to his former mentor after being presented with the award for Womenswear Designer of the Year by Klein and the evening's hostess, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Rodriquez recalled tearfully how Klein had told him a decade ago, when he set about launching his own label, that fashion was a difficult business in which success was rare. "A few nights ago he (Klein) said that I was doing it and I was doing well," he said.

4 June 2003

Top Award for Draper's Editor

Eric Musgrave, editor-in-Chief of Drapers, last week was named Editor of the Year for business and professional magazines in the annual awards run by the Periodical Publishers Association.

The award, one of the biggest in British journalism, proves Musgrave is still innovative and individualistic after 23 years in the fashion industry. According to the PPA judges "he clearly demonstrates a real handle on the fashion business - there is a strong sense of who's who in the industry. He is himself a big industry man with an in-depth knowledge of his market."

The award was made for Musgrave's work in merging Drapers Record and Menswear to form the current Drapers, the UK fashion business weekly.

20 May 2003

Shortlist UK Fashion Exports Awards

UK Fashion Exports, the trade association that supports British exporters and overseas buyers, has announced a shortlist for the UK Fashion Export Awards, which are to be held on June 12 at Mezzo, in Soho, London.

Three finalists have been short listed in each of the five main product categories. Womenswear: Aftershock; David Nieper; Eskander.
Menswear: Ben Sherman; Scott-Nichol; Sunspel.
Accessories: Links of London; Rainbow Club; Tashia
Kidswear: Trespass; Corgi; Cashmere Cause.
Intimate apparel: Chaslyn; Figleaves.com; Panache
Small business award: No Angels, London; Fleur T, Guildford; Muir & Osborne, Brighton.
E-tailer: Lands'end Direct Merchants; shoeshop.com; Figleaves.com.

The Royal Bank of Scotland, Marks & Spencer, Trade Partners UK and Drapers Records sponsor this year's UK Fashion Export Awards.
HRH The Princess Royal, president of UK Fashion Exports, will present the awards.

6 May 2003

Nicole makes fashion history

Australian actress Nicole Kidman is to receive the 2003 CFDA Fashion Icon Award at its annual awards gala on June 2. Each year CFDA, short for Council of Fashion Designers of America, grants awards to people who've made a considerable contribution to fashion.

"Nicole Kidman's style, both on and off the screen, has had an undeniable impact on fashion," said Peter Arnold, Executive Director of the CFDA.

"As an actress, she has developed her many memorable characters with an innate understanding of the artistry of clothes. At the same time, she has elegantly established her personal style and own iconic presence worldwide."

Previous winners of the CFDA Fashion Icon Award include Lauren Bacall, Audry Hepburn and Sophia Loren.

Designers Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Narciso Rodriguez have been nominated for this year's womenswear designer of the year award and the menswear award will go to either Sean Combs (Puff Daddy), Michael Kors or Ralph Lauren.

Additional honorees include US Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who will be presented with a lifetime achievement award and Alexander McQueen, who will be named international designer of the year.

The annual gala will take place at The New York Public Library.

April 17, 2003

Fashion at the Grammys

Relatively unknown fashion designer Michelle DeCourcy was amazed when singer Norah Jones wore one of her creations at Sunday's Grammy Awards. Jones, who received eight Grammy's including Best New Artist and Best Album, wore the black, v-neck, stretch lace dress given to her at the Billboard Awards rehearsal in January 2003.

DeCourcy's clothing line flaunts styles that are naughty and daring, while embodying classic elegance and grace at the same time. Her pieces are created from materials like taffeta, European lace, velvet, dupioni silk, silk charmuese and organza silk.

"If Norah was here right now I would give her a big hug!," exclaimed DeCourcy. "Come Away with Me has been an inspiration for my work since it was first released. Her graceful style and understated elegance would compliment any designer and I am so grateful she chose to wear my dress."

Meanwhile, People Magazine has released a list with the best and worst Grammy Looks. Norah Jones is not to be found on the list, but according to People, singers India Arie and Kelly Rowland were the big losers of the night when it comes to fashion. They both did win Grammys for best R&B album and for best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

According to People Magazine, India Arie's haircut (totally shaved) was ok, but her outfit needed improvement. She wore a white, quite unflattering white gown. Kelly Rowland wore a salmon-coloured tight dress made by Roberto Cavalli, that could be labelled as trashy. Rapper Eve also made the not-so-fashionable list in a Fendi outfit that People thinks made her look more like a disco diva than a hip-hop queen.

But there also were a few winners. Emily Robinson, singer from the Dixie Chicks wore a form-fitting black dress that hugged her curves. Sheryl Crow also got best dressed honours wearing a vintage gown from Courrèges. Meanwhile, Faith Hill made the best hair list. People called her wavy white-blonde do "all-out glamorous."

February 27, 2003
www.grammyawards.com

Award for Ashworth

Ashworth has received the prestigious "Best Men's Fashion" Award at the recent "Today's Golfer" Awards Ceremony at Stoke Park Golf Club in London.
The UK's monthly Golf Magazine placed Ashworth at the top of the Men's Fashion category for 2002. A survey of the readers of Today's Golfer and Golf Weekly has confirmed the position of Ashworth as the consumer's choice for Europe. Today's Golfer is Europe's number one circulated golf magazine.

Tony Wilkinson, managing director of Ashworth UK Ltd., commented, "This is a fantastic achievement for Ashworth. We plan to continue Ashworth's Brand Rich Heritage as the authentic and innovative golf sportswear line."

Ashworth Inc. is a designer of men's and women's golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear distributed domestically and internationally in golf pro shops and specialty stores. Ashworth products include four main brand extensions.

December 12, 2002