Midlands Fashion Awards 2017 – The Winners

Celebrating creative fashion talent from across the region the evening catwalk and awards event was hosted by Capital FM Presenter, Katy Poulsom.

With nine categories, the awards aim to recognize, inspire and promote the wealth of talent across the Midlands ranging from design and make-up to photography. For the 10^th edition the MFA’s partnered with Style Birmingham magazine to offer multiple winners the opportunity to work on fashion shoots at their studio, winners were also awarded with a MFA trophy and the opportunity to gain further media exposure.

Along with a drinks reception courtesy of the Edgbaston Boutique Hotel, networking and exhibitors guests were also treated to some live music courtesy of Julian Smith, saxophonist and Britain’s Got Talent 2009 finalist along with the catwalk show and awards ceremony.

Emerging Designer Natasha Smith by Garazi Photography 

Founder & Managing Director of the Midlands Fashion Awards Jenny Eason said: “Congratulations to all, very excited to see the high standard and quality of work coming through on the catwalk, along with the exhibitors, stylists and photographers. It was very difficult for the judges to decide on the winners and much discussion was had! We wish everyone who took part all the very best and look forward to seeing what they have in store for us in the near future.”

The judging panel comprised of Jenny Eason, Founder & Managing Director of the MFA, Debra Hepburn, Founder & Managing Director of Young British Designers, Andrew Riley, Editor in Chief at Style Birmingham Magazine, Matt Roden, Head Tailor at Clements & Church and MFA2016 winner Helen Howe, Helen Howe Atelier. All had an opportunity to interview and preview all the finalists’ collections before the catwalk show in order to help them to decide on the winners and runners up.

The 2017 Midlands Fashion Awards Winners are:

YOUNG DESIGNERS

1              Harriet Eccleston 

2              Daisy Burt

3              Joseph Storer

EMERGING

1              Natasha Smith

2              Harriet Kjellman

3              Sophia Clark

INDEPENDENT DESIGNER

1              Dionne Reeves 

2              Kashane Swaby

3              Dolls of Decadence

ACCESSORY

1              Refined Delux

2              Amilu

3              Tide Jewellery

MAKE UP ARTIST OF THE YEAR

1              Sarah Spence

2              Sana Rashid

3              Kate Reynolds

RISING STAR MAKE UP ARTIST

Suzie Gee

RISING STAR FASHION STYLIST

Luisa Hackney

HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR

1 Jamie Richards at Jamie Does Hair

2 Ayesha Kalyan

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

1. Georgia Roberts

2. Nicole Lovell

3. Fiona Cole

(Images from top to bottom: Harriet Eccleston, Natasha Smith and Dionne Reeves all by Fez Photography) 

Young Designer of the Year 2017 Harriet Eccleston (design right by Garazi Photography) commented:

“I can’t thank you enough for such an incredible day on Friday!It was an amazing experience and so lovely to meet so many different designers and stylists.

“I feel over the moon to have won ‘Young Designer of the Year’, made even more special by the quality of work from the other graduates in the same category. It was an amazing networking opportunity especially with the judges, designers and models that were so friendly, supportive and encouraging.

“All young designers looking for the next step should definitely take part in Midlands Fashion Awards, it is an amazing opportunity for creatives to showcase the range of creative talent in the Midlands.” 

Emerging Designer of the Year 2017 Natasha Smith said:

“I am delighted to have been selected as ‘Emerging Designer of the Year 2017’. It was a pleasure being a part of such an inspiring event and I am thrilled at receiving the honor of winning the award at the Midlands Fashion Awards.”

Accessory Designer of the Year 2017 Refined Dluxe said:

“I am thrilled to have won ‘Accessory Designer of the Year’ for 2017! The Midlands Fashion Awards provides an amazing showcase of the talent we have across the Midlands and to be honoured at the event was a delight.”

Suzie Gee – Rising Star Make-up Artist of the Year 2017 added: 

“I was overwhelmed to hear my name called out as the winner of the Rising Star Makeup Artist of 2017. The contestants who took part in my category were all so talented – so it was an honour to be recognised. I’m very grateful to Midland Fashion Awards for this opportunity and can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

Images courtesy of Garazi Photography and Stephen Rendall, Fez Photography.

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