‘Sustainability’ On The Agenda at the 12th Midlands Fashion Awards

The prestigious Midlands Fashion Awards (MFA), is now open for entries and is calling on independent, emerging and creative talent from across the Midlands region to enter the nine categories. 

Now in its twelfth year, the Midlands Fashion Awards, which takes place on Friday 11th October is an established and dedicated showcase and includes a catwalk, exhibition and networking event which culminates in an awards ceremony. It provides the opportunity to showcase creative fashion talent from across the Midlands, including Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and West Midlands.

The awards include categories for fashion and accessory design, make-up, styling and photography, and new for 2019 is the ‘Sustainability’ category to cater for the current demand for more environmental and sustainable fashion.

MFA founder and director, Jenny Eason, commented: “The Midlands Fashion Awards has been championing creative fashion talent from across the region for well over a decade. Each year the awards have grown, and we are really looking forward to the 2019 awards.

Sustainability and looking after the environment has become pivotal and the fashion industry has adapted with these times, with many designers incorporating sustainability into their collections from the outset. We felt the 2019 awards were the right time to promote and support those with sustainability at the very core of their business.

“Therefore, we are looking for designers to enter our sustainability award alongside our other categories ahead of the deadline of Friday 14th June.”

Accessory Designer of the Year 2018, Lucy Walters, from Hiorns Hats in Warwickshire, commented: "Without events like the Midlands Fashion Awards it's so difficult for small independent designers like myself to have a platform to showcase our work. I was absolutely over the moon to win the accessories category at the Midland Fashion Awards in 2018. Being almost entirely self-taught and running this business alongside a full-time job made it a real honour to have my work recognised in such good company. I would recommend anyone within the industry get involved and enter these awards." 

In 2019, there will be one winner and runner up in each category and as well as a trophy and certificate, prizes include expert mentoring from industry professionals, editorial photoshoots and PR and social media promotion. Past winners have also gained work placements and gone on to showcase their designs across the world.

The awards are open to fashion and accessory designers, stylists, make-up artists and fashion photographers. To apply to take part in the 2019 awards, which will take place at The City of Birmingham Symphony Hall, CBSO Centre on Friday 11th October, visit www.midlandsfashionawards.co.uk. The deadline for entries is Friday 14th June.

Shortlisted entrants will be invited to meet a panel of judges at Hotel Du Vin on Saturday 22nd June where a brief interview and assessment of their collection or portfolio will be carried out. Judges will select finalists for each category that will then go forward to the awards event. The MFA panel of judges will include a selection of industry professionals each with experience and expertise in their field.