Record Number of Applicants for MFW 2016

Whittled down from hundreds of hopefuls, the finalists have been announced and will be taking to the stage at the glittering catwalk event, which is to be held at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, CBSO Centre, Friday 7th October 2016.

Encompassing the very best creative talent in the region with categories being hotly contested including – Independent Designer of the Year, Emerging Designer of the Year and Make-Up Artist of the Year amongst others.

The awards offer a much-needed platform for current and emerging creatives to showcase their talents, to consumers, as well as, press, buyers and industry professionals. Previous winners have been approached by high-end retail buyers while others have gone on to set up their own fashion brand or to showcase at national and international fashion weeks all over the world.

“We’ve seen so many previous winners go on to develop their own careers, and we’re proud to have been a starting point for them. We’re giving creatives a chance to excel in their field as well as on their home turf”, says Jenny Eason, Founder of Midlands Fashion Awards.

“Often the pressure for designers and creatives to move to London is overwhelming and seems inevitable, but there is so many potential opportunities right here in the Midlands and an event like this proves that there is a melting pot of talented individuals just waiting for their chance to shine. That’s what we’re aiming for with this event.”

What started out as a one-off fashion show has developed into a celebration of the Midlands’ fashion design creatives which has helped to raise the national and international profile of fashion and creative talent in the region. Not only does it serve as a ceremony to recognise these talents, it also provides a rich hubbub of creative networking with an added splash of entertainment in the form of live performances, with the Voice 2015 finalist Sasha Simone performing at this year’s event.

Finalists will be judged by a panel of industry professionals including Jenny Eason, Founder/Director of the Midlands Fashion Awards and Debra Hepburn, Managing Director at Rees, Bradbury, Hepburn (RBH) and the co-founder of Young British Designers are amongst this year’s official panellists. Those crowned as the winner in their category will not only be exposed to vital coverage and press columns, but will be eligible for free membership with the Fashion Central Network, with a listing In their Creative Directory, a photoshoot featuring selected pieces from the designer’s collection or body of work, as well as a congratulatory trophy.

The Midlands Fashion Awards 2016 Categories and Finalists are:

Independent Designer of the Year

Helen Howe Atelier, Leicester

Sophie Wynn-Owen Couture, Worcester

Watch This Space Boutique, Leicester

Tiffany Stanford, Worcester

Michael Wallace, Nottingham 

The Bottle Blonde Clothing, Coventry

Reece Curtis-Walwyn, London (Guest Designer)

Emerging Designer of the Year

Mercê by Jacqueline Richards, Coventry

Sophie Pittom, Warwickshire

Rosie Billingham, Birmingham

Rhys Lenihan-Jones, Birmingham

Ullr Skade, Nottingham

Sarah Clifford, Nottingham

Young Designer of the Year 

Louise De La Rosa, Coventry

Tado Vito, Birmingham

Sian Sweet, Wolverhampton

Chantelle Cassidy, Staffordshire

Sophie Gordon, Coventry

Megan Hall, Leicester

Accessory Designer of the Year Award

Jemima Olivia Millinery, Nottingham

Sharper Millinery, Bespoke Milliner, Birmingham

HT Headwear, Wolverhampton

Ullr Skade, Jewellery, Nottingham

Make-up Artist of the Year

Hannah Louise Field, Worcester

Trixie Lou Varnam, Leicestershire

Chelsea Moore, Dudley

Rekha Padan, Birmingham

Karolina Turbak, Birmingham

Lydia Noble, Warwickshire

Mariya Kauser, Birmingham

Fore more information on the event and the tickets, visit the MFA website.

Related articles:

The Midlands Fashion Awards 2015

Awards Ceremony to Celebrate Midlands Fashion Talent

Uni of Derby Student Nominated for ‘Emerging Designer’ Award