The British Fashion Awards

The British Fashion Awards 2009 Shortlist Announced

The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announces the shortlist of nominees for the 2009 British Fashion Awards supported by Swarovski. The event recognises the most influential people in fashion today and will celebrate the reputation and development of British fashion over the last 25 years. The winners will be announced at the British Fashion Awards, on Wednesday 9th December at a ceremony to close the British Fashion Council’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

The eleven categories include Designer of the Year, the ultimate accolade, which recognises a leading British designer of couture, ready-to-wear, knitwear or accessories who has directed the shape of fashion in the past year and elevated their international reputation. This year there will also be a one-off London 25 award which will celebrate an individual who embodies the spirit of London and is an international ambassador for the capital’s fashion industry. The winner of this award will be decided entirely by public vote. The event will also acknowledge the achievement of one designer who throughout their career has made an exceptional impact on global fashion, with the BFC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design.

Nominations for awards are made by key opinion formers within the industry. The winners are selected by relevant panels of leading British and international media and buyers.

The UK is internationally recognised for emerging design talent. This year, as part of their support for British talent and the British Fashion Awards, Swarovski are again sponsoring two awards: the Emerging Talent Award for Ready to Wear and the Emerging Talent Award for Accessories. These awards recognise and financially reward the UK’s most exciting new designers. A panel of media, buyers and BFC talent scouts were asked to nominate in this category. This year’s judging panel includes Nadja Swarovski, Vice President, Swarovski Crystal Business, Lucy Yeomans, editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Alexandra Shulman, editor of Vogue, Sarah Mower, leading international journalist (Vogue US and Style.com) and BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Joan Burstein, Founder and Owner of Browns.

The British Fashion Awards 2009 shortlisted nominees are:

SWAROVSKI EMERGING TALENT AWARD - ACCESSORIES
An innovative and directional accessories designer who is emerging as an influential force in British fashion in the Accessories category.
Nominees: Camilla Skovgaard, Holly Fulton, Jessica McCormack, Maria Francesca Pepe

SWAROVSKI EMERGING TALENT AWARD - READY TO WEAR
An innovative and directional designer who is emerging as an influential force in British fashion in the Ready to Wear category
Nominees: Mark Fast, Meadham Kirchhoff, Peter Pilotto

DESIGNER BRAND
A leading British designer brand that has excelled and made an impact on the international stage over the past year.
Nominees: Burberry, Mulberry, Pringle of Scotland

MODEL
A British model who has emerged as a leading name in the modelling industry and is making a strong mark on the international fashion scene.
Nominees: Daisy Lowe, Georgia Jagger, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

ACCESSORY DESIGNER
The leading British designer of shoes, jewellery, millinery or accessories within the past year.
Nominees: Emma Hill for Mulberry, Katie Hillier, Nicholas Kirkwood

MENSWEAR DESIGNER
A leading British designer of ready-to-wear and bespoke tailoring who has been instrumental in enhancing men's fashion in the past year.
Nominees: Graeme Fidler for Aquascutum, Kim Jones for dunhill, Todd Lynn

LONDON 25
An individual who embodies the spirit of London and is an international ambassador for London as a leading creative fashion capital. This award has been created to mark the BFC’s 25th year and to recognise the many individuals that make London a cultural force in the global fashion industry.

Nominees available at www.britishfashioncouncil.com

ISABELLA BLOW AWARD FOR FASHION CREATOR
A British stylist, make-up artist, photographer, art director or producer whose creativity has been a major inspiration and influence in the past year. Winner announced on the evening. No shortlist available

BFC BRITISH COLLECTION OF THE YEAR
A British based designer whose last two collections have directed the shape of fashion and helped them develop as an international force in the fashion industry. Nominees: Christopher Kane, Erdem, Jonathan Saunders

BFC DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
The ultimate accolade, which recognises an internationally acclaimed British designer of couture, ready-to-wear, knitwear or accessories who has made a significant impact in the past year both in the UK and internationally. Winner announced on the evening. No shortlist available

BFC OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN FASHION DESIGN
An award recognising one designer who throughout their career has influenced and inspired the global fashion industry. Winner announced on the evening. No shortlist available

Caroline Rush, Chief Executive (Joint) of the BFC commented, “This year’s nominee list highlights the extraordinary breadth of British design talent. I would like to thank Swarovski for supporting two awards (Swarovski Emerging Talent Awards for ready to wear and for accessories) which recognise and financially reward emerging design talent, helping to support two of our newer designers as they establish their careers and businesses in Britain.”

Nadja Swarovski, Vice President, Swarovski Crystal Business said, “Swarovski is very pleased to enter into its 5th year of support for the British Fashion Awards – the finale to the British Fashion Council’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Through our two awards, The Swarovski Emerging Talent Award- Ready to Wear and The Swarovski Emerging Talent Award- Accessories, Swarovski is proud to continue our mission of nurturing and supporting young design talent whose creativity drives forward the British fashion industry.”