Award Categories
The theme this year is spring/summer or autumn/winter 2017. Fashion designers must be able to design and showcase a collection of outfits from one of the following specialisms: Womenswear, menswear, haute couture, evening wear or ready to wear. This is a great opportunity for designers and creatives to showcase their work on a professional runway at Midlands Fashion Awards 2016.
Independent Designer of the Year - (Sponsored by Irwin Mitchell Solicitors)
This award will be presented to a Midlands based fashion designer who has the potential to make a significant impact in the industry. Fashion designers must be able to demonstrate their creativity, design and innovation in selecting a collection of up to six complete outfits to be presented to the judging panel on the catwalk at the show.
Emerging Fashion Designer of the Year (Sponsored by Style Birmingham Magazine)
This award will be presented to an emerging fashion designer who is based in the Midlands; fashion designers must be able to demonstrate their uniqueness, creativity, design and innovation in selecting a collection of six complete looks to be presented to the judging panel on the catwalk at the show. The competition is open to designers who live work or have been educated in the Birmingham/Midlands region.
Young Designer of the Year (Sponsored by Graziosa)
This award will be presented to a Midlands based fashion graduate who shows considerable promise as a future contributor of the fashion industry. Designers must be able to demonstrate their creativity, design and innovation in selecting a collection of six complete looks to be presented to the judging panel on the catwalk at the show.
Accessory Designer of the Year
This award will be presented to a Midlands based accessories designer who demonstrates their creative skills to produce designs that are of a very high quality. Entrants must be able to present designs that are unique and with strong aesthetics showing innovation and creativity. The finalists will need to present their collection to a judging panel to be held at the MFA pre networking show, where a question and answer type interview will also take place.
Aspiring Fashion Stylist of the Year
This award will be presented to a Midlands based fashion stylist who has demonstrated that they can undertake a concept and design to present a theme. Entrants should be able to research the latest fashion trends for spring/summer 2017 to demonstrate their styling skills. The finalists will be invited to present their concept to a judging panel at our pre show event (date to be confirmed). A question and answer type interview will also take place. Stylists will be judged on their resourcefulness, creativity and ability in forecasting trends.
Aspiring Make-up Artist of the Year - (Co-Sponsored by Jules Cardozo-Marsh and CULT51)
This award will be presented to a Midlands based make-up artist who has demonstrated that they can undertake a concept and design a mood board capturing the key trends for Spring/Summer 2017, with projections for colours, textures and style. This is an amazing opportunity for a make-up artist to showcase their skills and creativity. The finalists will need to present their concept to a judging panel a question and answer type interview will also take place.
The finalists selected at the pre selection show will go on and support professional Make-up Artist Jules Cardozo-Marsh backstage at the Midlands Fashion Awards main event October 2016, the winner will be the one that demonstrates the most promise in working as part of a team but also being able to work independently to a brief.
The successful Make-Up Artist of the Year winner will be mentored by Jules Cardozo-Marsh and will be offered the opportunity to accompany and assist Jules on professional shoots, benefiting from her direction and experience. This will allow the winner to build a portfolio of work and a network of invaluable industry contacts.