Record number of entries for Midlands Fashion Awards in Birmingham
A record number of people have entered this year's Midlands Fashion Awards, in the hope of becoming one of the top fashionistas in the region.
Whittled down from around 200 hopefuls, the finalists have now been announced and will be taking to the stage at the glittering catwalk event at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, CBSO Centre, later this year.
The Black Country finalists are Wolverhampton's Sian Sweet hoping to win Young Designer of the Year, HT Headwear are vying for the Accessory Designer of the Year award and Dudley's Chelsea Moore, who is hoping to win the Make-up Artist of the Year award.
The annual awards, which are in their ninth year, offer a platform for current and emerging creatives to showcase their talents. Previous winners have been approached by high-end retail buyers, while others have gone on to set up their own fashion brand or have gone on to showcase at national and international fashion weeks across the world.
Jenny Eason, who founded the awards, said: "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.
"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."
The event will also provide a creative networking opportunity with an added splash of entertainment in the form of live performances, as the Voice 2015 finalist Sasha Simone will be performing at this year's event.
Finalists from the competition will be judged by a panel of industry professionals including Jenny Eason and Debra Hepburn, managing director at Rees, Bradbury, Hepburn (RBH). Those crowned as the winner in their category 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, as well as a congratulatory trophy.
Tickets are priced at £25 and £40 and can be purchased at www.midlandsfashionawards.co.uk
