The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announces the shortlist of nominees for the British Fashion Awards 2011. The event recognises the most influential people in fashion today and celebrates the reputation and development of British fashion. The winners will be announced at the British Fashion Awards on Monday 28th November. The evening is attended by the most influential industry leaders, designers, retailers, models, celebrities and media to celebrate the best in British fashion.
This year, the British Fashion Award nominees, led by Save the Children and British Fashion Council ambassador Samantha Cameron, celebrated their nomination by taking part in Born to Walk Tall - the first ever fashion mile, to honour the critical work performed by doctors, nurses and midwives worldwide. Some of fashion’s hottest names including Sarah Burton, Christopher Bailey, Christopher Kane, Charlotte Olympia, Erdem Moralioglu, Katie Hillier and Peter Pilotto were joined by Dr. Hajara Kera, an inspirational midwife from Nigeria, in their walk from Downing Street to Somerset House to raise awareness of the vital role health-workers play in making sure that children survive to take their first steps.
The award categories this year include Designer Brand, Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator and three Emerging Talent Awards recognising and supporting the young design talent whose creativity drives forward the British fashion industry. New awards for this year include the Emerging Talent Award - Menswear which will be awarded to an innovative and directional designer who is emerging as an influential force in British menswear ready-to-wear design; and the re-introduction of the Red Carpet award, which gives recognition to a British designer who is creating global awareness of their designs in the media.
Designer of the Year, the ultimate accolade, recognises a leading British based designer brand of couture, ready-to-wear, knitwear or accessories that has directed the shape of fashion in the past year and elevated their international reputation. The award is hotly contested this season between nominees Christopher Kane, Erdem and Sarah Burton for McQueen.
Additional awards will be announced prior to the awards ceremony, on November 28th, including the ‘BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion’ and ‘British Style’ awards.
Nominations for these awards are made by key UK and international opinion formers within the industry. The winners are selected by relevant panels of leading British and international media and buyers.
Harold Tillman CBE, Chairman of the British Fashion Council, commented, “This year’s nominees demonstrate the breadth and creativity London has to offer. The fashion brands and designers that are based here set the trends across the globe – the latest of which will be shown on the catwalk from Friday 16th September when the international fashion crowd will descend upon London for the start of Fashion Week. In addition, we are thrilled to be working alongside Save the Children on their Born to Walk Tall campaign, championed by our BFC Ambassador Samantha Cameron, this year.”
This year’s British Fashion Awards are sponsored by HSBC, MAC, Toni & Guy and Vodafone.
The British Fashion Awards 2011 nominees are:
1. 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: Jordan Askill,
Nasir Mazhar and Tabitha Simmons.
2. 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: J.W. Anderson,
Mary Katrantzou and
Peter Pilotto.
3. EMERGING TALENT AWARD – MENSWEAR
An innovative and directional designer who is emerging as an influential force in British menswear ready-to-wear design.
Nominees: Christopher Raeburn,
James Long and
J.W. Anderson.
4. DESIGNER BRAND
A leading British based designer brand that has excelled and made an impact on the international stage over the past year.
Nominees: Burberry, Stella McCartney, Tom Ford and Victoria Beckham.
5. MODEL
A British model who has contributed most to the international fashion scene in the past year.
Nominees: Georgia Jagger, Kristen McMenamy, and Stella Tennant.
6. ACCESSORY DESIGNER
The leading British designer of shoes, jewellery, millinery or accessories within the past year.
Nominees: Charlotte Olympia,
Emma Hill for Mulberry and Katie Hillier.
7. 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: Kim Jones,
Margaret Howell and
Oliver Spencer.
8. 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.
Nominees: Guido Palau, Katie Grand and Sam Gainsbury.
9. RED CARPET AWARD
Gives recognition to a British designer who is creating global awareness of their designs in the media.
Nominees: Antonio Berardi, Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham.
10. DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
The ultimate accolade, which recognises an internationally acclaimed, leading British designer of couture, ready-to-wear, knitwear or accessories who has directed the shape of fashion in the past year both in the UK and internationally.
Nominees: Christopher Kane,
Erdem and
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
For more information please visit
www.britishfashionawards.com
Image: Nominees gather outside 10 Downing Street for 'Born to Walk Tall' with Samantha Cameron, Save the Children, Dr Hajara Kera & the British Fashion Council team.