The Drapers Awards 2006

  

Top UK fashion retailers and brands were awarded coveted Drapers Awards at this year’s gala dinner at Grosvenor House in London, 22 November 2006.  The Drapers Awards are the most prestigious awards for the fashion retailing industry, bringing together over 1,200 fashion insiders to see 19 sought-after statuettes presented to the finest, most innovative and passionate fashion retailers and brands in the UK and Republic of Ireland. 

 

The Awards proved to be a fantastic night, where the best retailers and fashion brands of the moment were honoured and presented with the top industry awards by comedian Jimmy Carr. 

 

Big winners on the night included retailers Marks & Spencer, Reiss, River Island and Sainsbury’s Tu and brands G-star, Gant and Oui-Set (see attached list). And the Lifetime Achievement Award went to brothers Michael Bennett and Maurice Bennett who launched Warehouse in the 1970’s and also built the Oasis and Coast chains. 

 

The Drapers Awards are recognised as a huge accolade by the fashion business with 100 retailers and brands vying for the winning places. Now in its 16th year, The Drapers Awards, organised by leading fashion business weekly Drapers, is a glittering event that recognises and celebrates the best in the industry.  Awards categories cover sectors as varied as the largest multiples to fledgling independents.  The Drapers editorial team visited almost 100 shortlisted entrants, to create a prestigious list of finalists judged by two panels of industry experts. 

 

2006 Winners

 

Best New Business

Sponsored by Betty Barclay

The Dressing Room, St Albans

 

Independent Kidswear Retailer

Sponsored by CWF

Bratz, Arndale Centre, Manchester

 

Lingerie Retailer of the Year

Sponsored by Triumph International

Marks & Spencer

 

Customer Service Initiative

Sponsored by Emreco

Mamas & Papas

 

Independent Department Store

Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland

Clerys, Dublin

 

Designer Store of the Year

Giulio, Cambridge

 

Best New Store or Best New Department

Sponsored by Barlows

Topman, Arndale Centre, Manchester

 

Etailer of the Year

Sponsored by Zendor

Asos.com

 

Value Retailer of the Year

Sponsored by BT Expedite

Sainsbury’s Tu

 

Menswear Brand of the Year

Sponsored by Drapers

Gant

 

Independent Menswear Retailer

Sponsored by Matinique

Jules B Man, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

 

Young Fashion Brand of the Year

Sponsored by Pure

G-Star

 

Independent Young Fashion Retailer

Sponsored by Energie

Freedom Clothing, Portadown

 

Womenswear Brand of the Year

Oui Set

 

Independent Womenswear Retailer

Sponsored by Marc O’Polo

Elizabeth Rose, Tenterden

 

Smaller Multiple Retailer of the Year

Sponsored by Barclays

Reiss

 

Multiple Retailer of the Year

Sponsored by TNT Fashion Group

River Island

 

Independent Retailer of the Year

Sponsored by Oui Set

Jules B

 

The Drapers Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by Fashion & Retail Personnel

Michael Bennett & Maurice Bennett

 

 

The Drapers Awards 2006 Judging Panel

 

Independent Categories Judging Panel

Rahil Majid, owner, Peppermint

Mark bage, owner, Sarah Coggles

John Deane-Bowers, owner, Trotter & Deane

Julie Hayward, director, Williams & Griffin

Gemma Lane, buyer, Fusion

Becky Furbank, director, Anne Furbank

Jason Gerrard, Gecko Fashion

Curtis Jacoby, Curtis Jacoby Partnership

 

Multiple Categories Judging Panel

Nigel Blow, Harrods

Richard Bradbury, managing director, River Island

Philip Mountford, chief executive, Moss Bros

David Dalziel, Danziel & Pow

Robert Bready, retail director, Asos.com

Anne Hoffman, partner, Graphite Capital

Sandra Clark, design director, Coast

Rose Foster, managing director, Monsoon

Zvono Bednarcik, managing director, Global Refund

 

For more information on The Drapers Awards go to www.drapersawards.co.uk