Scottish Fashion Awards to be held in London

THE Scottish Fashion Awards are to take place outside Scotland for the first time in their history after organisers failed to strike a deal with a any of the country’s council areas.

Scottish Fashion Awards organiser Tessa Hartmann. Picture: Complimentary

The awards will be held at the headquarters of Scottish Secretary Michael Moore in Whitehall in October after talks with councils in Glasgow and Aberdeen failed to reach agreement.

The awards will be co-hosted by the Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore MP and awards founder Tessa Hartmann.

A host of high profile Scottish designers are nominated for this year’s awards including Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Holly Fulton, Louise Gray, to textile leaders like Alice Palmer and Brora.

Tessa Hartmann said: “It’s one of the biggest fashion events in Europe but we couldn’t get a city partner to support it.

“Glasgow offered £10,000 but production costs are at least £500,000. It’s not only about investing in an event but also the global perception of what we can do from Scotland.

“The MOBO awards received £500,000 to have their show here for two years. It’s a great event but doesn’t celebrate or promote Scotland the way we do.

“We went to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire but at the 11th hour we were told there was no budget.

“It’s a sad day for Scotland that they don’t understand the business of fashion.

Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, said he was pleased to welcome the show to London.

He said: “I’m delighted to co-host the 8th annual Scottish Fashion Awards at Dover House this year with Tessa Hartmann. The Awards have become one of the most high profile showcases of Scottish fashion, design and textiles in the country and are respected around the world. Judged by a panel of renowned and esteemed international industry figures, they provide an invaluable platform for emerging Scottish talent, textile manufacturers, and fashion’s future leaders.

“The Awards shine a global spotlight on our nation’s work and honour those high profile global brands that continue to use Scottish cashmere and textiles within their own collections. It’s important that we continue to support these awards and as such I’m pleased to welcome them to the home of the Scotland Office in London”

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “We committed to the same level of financial support provided in 2012 - despite intimations from organisers that the event would be downscaled in 2013.”