Flash fashion show introduces UK Fashion & Textile Awards 2013

The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) is re-launching its annual awards to celebrate the very best of the fashion industry. The UKFT are the leading trade body for the industry. The black-tie event, which will be held this year, will be the biggest event to date that focuses on celebrating both the fashion and textile industries as one. Held at One Mayfair on 23^rd May, it will be the UKFT’s grandest awards event in over 25 years. The awards will also mark a new partnership with Natwest – the awards have been renamed Natwest UK Fashion and Textile Awards 2013.

UKFT chairman Peter Lucas said: “It is a fantastic time to be British and an even greater time to be working in the British fashion and textiles industry. We think we should celebrate this not with a whisper but with a real shout and all the acclaim that the companies and individuals who make up our sector deserve.” 

He added: “We work tirelessly to support our industry and these Awards will be a wonderful platform to say thank you to those who make the UK fashion industry really standout, be it on a catwalk or in shops around the globe. We are an industry not just of designers but also suppliers, manufacturers and some of the best and most innovative textile businesses in the world. Without them our industry could not exist and they should be recognised for thriving even in such difficult economic times. ”

To launch the new styled awards UKFT held a flash fashion show at London’s St Pancras Station, with items being shown by up-and-coming designers like Charlotte Taylor and The House of Nines as well as items from established designers Orla Kiely and Tatty Devine. The show gave commuters a wonderful surprise and something nice to look at on their commutes home.

There will be awards from everything including export to design; best brand, supplier and accessories companies. And at the end of a year when there has been so much focus on all things British, there will also be a UK Manufacturing Award. A full list of the awards to be presented on the night is listed below. 

·         UKFT Rise Newcomer Award

·         Brand of the Year

·         Designer Business of the Year

·         Textile Business of the Year

·         Accessories Business of the Year

·         Exporter of the Year

·         Supplier of the Year

·         Let’s Make it Here UK Manufacturer of the Year

·         Retailer of the Year

·         Outstanding achievement Award 

Kelsey Butler
Photos: Courtesy of UKFT

The Awards are open to members and non-members of UKFT and can be entered here. The deadline for entries is 8^th March 2013.

UKFT is proud to be partnering with Save the Children and will be raising money for this important charity on the evening of the Awards. Visit their website here.