Fashion Recognition: Nicklas Skovgaard wins Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize 2025

Danish designer Nicklas Skovgaard has been named the winner of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize 2025, the Nordic region’s most prestigious award celebrating emerging fashion entrepreneurs.

Nicklas Skovgaard at the award ceremony receiving his prize from Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg,
Founder of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize.

Skovgaard receives a cash prize of 500,000 DKK (USD 77,000) and will gain significant exposure through a partnership between the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize and Copenhagen Fashion Week (CFW). The collaboration will provide the designer with communication support and participation in official CFW activities, including the Autumn/Winter 2026 edition, scheduled for 27–30 January 2026.

Celebrating Innovation and Vision

This year’s competition saw Mfpen, Nicklas Skovgaard, and Stel selected as the three finalists, each presenting their collections and business strategies to an international jury of leading fashion professionals. The 2025 edition reinstated the prize’s signature dual-jury format, bringing together both creative and business-focused experts to ensure a comprehensive assessment of each brand’s artistic and commercial strengths.

The creative jury evaluated vision, aesthetics, craftsmanship, and cultural relevance, while the business jury focused on scalability, market potential, and sustainable strategy. The result was a holistic decision that balanced artistry and entrepreneurship.

A Designer Defining Danish Fashion

In his acceptance statement, Skovgaard reflected on his journey and creative philosophy:

“Being a finalist in 2022 was already a huge honour, and winning the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize this year feels like a powerful recognition of how much I’ve grown since then,” he said. “My work has always been about reshaping the familiar and rethinking the nostalgic. This prize motivates me to push further, build a stronger team, and bring my work to a broader audience—while staying true to the emotional and artisanal values that define my brand.”

Jury Praise for a Distinct Creative Voice

Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg, founder of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize and board member of the Wessel & Vett Foundation, praised Skovgaard’s artistic vision:

“Our winner stood out for a unique and emotionally rich aesthetic that blends theatrical and historical influences with a modern sensibility,” she said. “Through precise construction and a strong sense of form, Skovgaard transforms clothing into storytelling—honest, artistic, and innovative. He represents a bold new voice in Danish design.”

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, also highlighted the prize’s growing influence:

“The Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize continues to go from strength to strength, celebrating designers who define Danish fashion today. We’re proud to partner with the Wessel & Vett Foundation in supporting emerging talent through CPHFW NEWTALENT.”

A Partnership Supporting Emerging Designers

Since 2022, Copenhagen Fashion Week and the Wessel & Vett Foundation have collaborated through CPHFW NEWTALENT, a talent support scheme providing bursaries and visibility for up-and-coming designers. As Bursary Partner, the Foundation contributes financial support for the brands’ showcases during both the August and February fashion weeks—furthering their shared commitment to fostering creativity and sustainability in Nordic fashion.

About the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize

Founded in 2012 by the Wessel & Vett Foundation, the Fashion Prize is widely regarded as Scandinavia’s leading independent award for fashion design. It champions innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity, honouring Denmark’s design heritage while nurturing the next generation of fashion leaders.

The Foundation itself carries forward the visionary legacy of Theodor Wessel and Emil Vett, founders of the iconic department store Magasin du Nord. Independent from the store today, the Foundation continues to support cultural and creative initiatives that celebrate Danish craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit.

Textile Talents: TEX+ 2025 Awards Celebrate the UK’s Rising Textile Stars

The TEX+ 2025 Awards were officially announced at the TEX+ Showcase Private View, held at London's Chelsea College of Arts, celebrating exceptional innovation, technical skill, and commercial potential from the UK’s most promising graduating textile designers.

British designers Zandra Rhodes (third from left) and Orla Kiely (second from right) with TEX+ Trustees, from left to right: Katie Greenyer, Joanna Bowring, Clare Johnston, Jeremy Somers (Chair), and Gill Gledhill

Winners were selected from a cohort of 25 finalists, representing institutions including Central Saint Martins, Glasgow School of Art, Manchester School of Art, and more. The evening also featured a keynote address by world-renowned trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort, marking her first public appearance in the UK in several years.

Philip Fimano of Trend Union/Studio Edelkoort and Trend Forecaster Lidewij (Li) Edelkoort

Among the standout winners was Beth Lingard of Leeds Arts University, who received multiple honours, including the £500 Sanderson Art in Industry Prize for Commercial & Market Potential, the Sahara Prize—which includes £500, a one-month placement at Sahara, and a design purchase opportunity—and The Pattern Cloud Prize, offering one year’s free access to The Pattern Cloud Graduate Plan.

Beth Lingard

From Central Saint Martins, Amber Fry was awarded the £1,000 TEX+ Trustees’ Prize for Sustainability & Ethical Practice, as well as the Mary Restieaux Prize, which includes a private studio visit, mentorship, and hand-dyed silk yarns.

Amber Fry with TEX+ Trustee Gill Gledhill

The Liberty Studio Prize was awarded to Esme Whitton of UWE Bristol School of Art, including a studio visit and three-month mentorship with access to the Liberty archive. 

 Esme Whitton 

Winnie Sowter of Edinburgh College of Art received the Helga Goldman Prize for Innovation & Creativity, which comes with a £1,000 cash award. 

Winnie Sowter

Severine Seidl of the Royal School of Needlework was named the recipient of the TEX+ Trustees’ Prize for Technical Excellence.

Severine Seidl 

 Yingruo Cao

Aidan Morris 

The Pentland Prize was jointly awarded to Yingruo Cao of London College of Fashion and Aidan Morris of Glasgow School of Art. 

Ashe Vine of Arts University Bournemouth took home the Bay & Brown Prize, which includes an online floral print course and portfolio session with Tracey Brown.

Ashe Vine

Celebrated trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort remarked:

“The future is incredibly bright when I see so many students courageously confronting the major challenges of our time—rethinking materials, reshaping systems, and reviving crafts. At TEX+, we witness a new generation not just dreaming of change, but designing it.”

Formerly known as Texprint, TEX+ is the UK’s leading platform for emerging textile talent. With a 50-year legacy of supporting graduates in fashion, interiors, and material innovation, TEX+ offers real opportunities through internships, mentoring, and professional development, while fostering a thriving community of textile specialists.

Finalists were judged across five core pillars: Innovation & Creativity, Technical Excellence, Sustainability & Ethical Practice, Commercial & Market Potential, and Cultural & Social Impact.

Jeremy Somers, Chair of TEX+, said:

“Every year we’re amazed by the depth of talent coming through, but the 2025 cohort has truly raised the bar. These designers are not only technically skilled but are also engaging with some of the most urgent conversations in design today—from sustainability to storytelling, identity to innovation. The TEX+ prizes are about celebrating that talent and providing vital recognition and support as these graduates step into the industry.”

Now a registered charity, TEX+ continues to be supported by leading figures in the textile and design world, including British designers Orla Kiely, Emma J Shipley, and Peter Ackroyd MBE, Chairman of the Campaign for Wool. Alumni have gone on to work with global brands such as Chanel, Nike, and Liberty, or have founded acclaimed studios including Wallace & Sewell and Quinton Chadwick.

All images from TEX+

Fashion Awards: British Fashion Council to honour international designer and British fashion journalist in December; Nominees for Fashion Awards 2023 announced.

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced that Italian designer supremo Mr. Valentino Garavani, founder and former creative director of the Maison Valentino, will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fashion Awards 2023 (TFA), slated for  December 4th 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. 

Valentino Garavani from British Fashion Council

Mr. Valentino is universally admired for his exquisite and groundbreaking couture creations and red-carpet gowns. Over his nearly 50 years as a designer, Mr. Valentino constructed gowns for influential and prestigious actresses, society ladies and politicians. Mr. Valentino’s extraordinary designs, dedication to craftsmanship, ubiquitous branding and business acumen have left an indelible mark on the fashion world and cemented him as a legend of haute couture.  

Additionally, British fashion journalist, renowned critic, and passionate advocate for young designers, Sarah Mower MBE, will receive a Special Recognition Award for Championing Young Designer Talent at TFA). Mower will be awarded for her outstanding contribution to the fashion industry and illustrious career in securing the pipeline of London’s fashion talent. She is a critic at Vogue, the BFC’s Ambassador for Emerging Talent, Chair of the BFC NEWGEN committee. Mower has provided prolific support to young British designers, guided by a relentless dedication to ensuring that talent from every background has the chance to participate in the industry. She is noted particularly for her support for emerging British designers has led to the rise of Ashish, Bianca Saunders, Christopher Kane, Erdem, JW Anderson, Matty Bovan, Priya Ahluwalia, Richard Quinn, Simone Rocha, SS Daley and countless others. Mower is a campaigner raising much needed scholarships for the students who will contribute to the health of the industry’s future in all its developing areas.

This year, Mower has guest curated the landmark exhibition, REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion sponsored by Alexander McQueen at the Design Museum which celebrates 30 years of BFC’s NEWGEN and tells the story of hundreds of fearless young designers who started in the UK and have transformed the fashion landscape. Mower is a Visiting Professor at Central Saint Martins, and her work has duly earned her an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Westminster University, an Honorary Fellow Royal College of Art, an Honorary Doctorate by the Academy of Art University of California, and an MBE for services to the fashion industry since 2011.

The Fashion Awards, organised by the BFC, are the primary fundraiser for the BFC Foundation and celebrate the role of fashion at the intersection of culture and entertainment, spotlighting creative talent and telling the stories of the year in fashion through the lens of purpose, excellence and creativity. 

 to announce its nominees for The Fashion Awards 2023 (TFA) which will take place on Monday 4th December 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall.  TFA, organised by the BFC, are the primary fundraiser for the BFC Foundation and celebrate the role of fashion at the intersection of culture and entertainment, spotlighting creative talent and telling the stories of the year in fashion through the lens of purpose, excellence, and creativity. In particular, British creative energy will be celebrated for its impact on the fashion industry globally.

Meanwhile TFA has also announced Award categories: Model of the Year, British Menswear Designer, British Womenswear Designer, New Establishment Menswear and the New Establishment Womenswear, and the winners will be revealed on December 4th as well. Nominees were presented to a Voting Committee of 1,000 leading industry members who will vote on the winners.

For the first time, the public have an opportunity to vote for the Model of the Year.

The Fashion Awards 2023 Nominees are (listed in alphabetical order):-

Model of the Year - Recognises the global impact of a model who, over the last 12 months, has dominated the industry, with an influence that transcends the catwalk.

Alton Mason; Anok Yai; Kai-Isaiah Jamal; Liu Wen; Mona Tougaard; Paloma Elsesser

British Menswear Designer of the Year - Recognises a leading British menswear designer who has consistently made a global impact with their innovative and creative designs, shaping the burgeoning international menswear landscape.

Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner

Kiko Kostadinov for Kiko Kostadinov

Kim Jones for Dior Men

Martine Rose for Martine Rose

Steven Stokey-Daley for S.S.DALEY 

British Womenswear Designer of the Year - Recognises a leading British womenswear designer who has consistently made a global impact with their innovative and creative designs, shaping the burgeoning international womenswear landscape

Erdem Moralıoğlu for Erdem

Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo

Nensi Dojaka for Nensi Dojaka

Roksanda Ilinčić for ROKSANDA

Simone Rocha for Simone Rocha 

New Establishment Menswear - Recognises a menswear designer who has created a new movement in British fashion and has had a sustained impact on the industry globally. Designers are chosen based on the showcasing of their collections, their business growth, and the international headlines driven by their work.

Bianca Saunders

Corteiz

LABRUM London

Nicholas Daley

Saul Nash

New Establishment Womenswear - Recognises a womenswear designer who has created a new movement in British fashion and has had a sustained impact on the industry globally. Designers are chosen based on the showcasing of their collections, their business growth, and the international headlines driven by their work.

Chopova Lowena

Dilara Fındıkoğlu

KNWLS

ROBERT WUN

Supriya Lele

 The Voting Panel for all designer awards was chaired by Caroline Issa, BFC Non-Exec Board Member and Chief Executive, Tank Magazine and made up of Bosse Myhr, Director of Womenswear and Menswear at Selfridges, Charlie Porter, Fashion Writer and Commentator, Donna Wallace, Stylist and Consultant, Ida Petersson, Buying Director, Browns Fashion, Jeanie Annan-Lewin, Creative Director, The Perfect Magazine, Julia Sarr-Jamois, Stylist, Consultant and Fashion Director, British Vogue, Karen Binns, Editor & Publisher, Mandi Lennard, Founder and Director, Mandi’s Basement, Olivia Singer, Global Editorial Director, i-D, Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent & Chief Critic, Vogue Runway, Sophia Neophitou, BFC Press Committee Chair and Editor-in-Chief, 10 Magazine and 10 Men and Stavros Karelis, Founder & Buying Director, MACHINE-A.

The Voting Panel for Model of the Year was made up of Anita Bitton, Casting Director, Candice Bailey, Stylist + Creative Consultant, Carlos Nazario, Stylist, Cyndia Harvey, Hair Stylist, Finlay MacAulay, Casting Director, Jawara, Hair Stylist and Senior Beauty Editor at Large, i-D, Julia Sarr-Jamois, Stylist, Consultant and Fashion Director, British Vogue, Kate Phelan, Stylist + Creative Consultant, Rosie Vogel, Global Director of Talent and Casting, Vogue, Samuel Ellis Scheinman, Casting Director and Sophia Neophitou, BFC Press Committee Chair and Editor-In-Chief, 10 Magazine and 10 Men.

Nominees for the Designer of the Year category and the BFC Foundation Award will be announced in November.

The 2023 accolades also include the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator, Outstanding Achievement Award, Leader of Change as well as several Special Recognition Awards for exceptional contribution to the fashion industry. Additionally, the event will recognise 50 of the most innovative and inspiring young creative talent from around the world as part of NEW WAVE: Creatives.

Textile graduates win inaugural Tengri Innovation Award 2018

London design house Tengri, a luxury fashion and lifestyle brand, has announced that designer Henrietta Johns has won its inaugural Tengri Innovation Award, launched this year to encourage the implementation of sustainable fashion and textiles working towards a more sustainable industry standard and future.

Henrietta John’s work is rooted in a deep exploration of natural animal fibres and innovative designs using traditional felting techniques, creating new fabric surfaces with 100% animal fibre.

Henrietta Johns, who graduated this year from London's Central Saint Martin with a First Class honours degree in Textile Design, specialising in woven textiles, was in Paris in September as one of the 24 finalists of TexSelect 2018 who showed in the Première Vision Designs - one of the main events of Première Vision Paris. 

Photos shown here are designs from Henrietta's "The Exploration of Wool" collection that was shown in the PV Designs in Paris as she aims to raise the profile of British wool as a sustainable fibre for contemporary, innovative apparel, opposing it’s traditional connotations.  Each design is visually inspired by rural British landscape, as well as farming scenery and practices, in correlation with the prospect of increased business for independent British farmers. Each fabric is composed of 100% British wool, natural dyes and natural sheep’s fleece colourings.

Last year Henrietta was the winner of another competition sponsored by jacquard weaver Stephen Walters & Sons.  This led to her developing innovative fabrics that featured in their A/W 18 menswear collection at the prestigious Premier Vision Paris fair in 2017, as well as production of a bespoke jacket for Turnball & Asser as part of its dedication to ‘the new generation of design’.

Henrietta Johns developed her own techniques to accentuate the natural qualities of wool to create innovative textures and surfaces, such as playing with the idea of contrasting shrinkages when pairing different fibres that felt and shrink differently.

As winner of the Tengri Innovation Award, Henrietta receives a one-year mentorship with Tengri, as well as a six-month paid internship supported with Tengri Noble Yarns for production and a cash prize.
The Tengri Innovation Award was open to final-year students of the Tengri Innovation Partnership, an initiative which includes some of the UK’s most influential academic and creative institutions. Designers were invited to present innovative and sustainable approaches to textiles, to meet criteria set to demonstrate forward-thinking conceptualisation of sustainable fibres and practices that rework cultural and traditional techniques. Critically, these practices would be set to demonstrate the preservation of heritage in fabrication, construction and production.

Three runners-up in the Tengri Innovation Award is each awarded Tengri Noble Yarns, fabrics and cash prizes and will be invited to join the Tengri design collective working on the brief for Tengri’s 2019/20 collection.  They are:
·       Christopher Ehrlich, graduate of Central Saint Martins’ BA Fashion Design Menswear, accredited for his conscientious approach to sustainability with ‘zero off-cut’ pattern cutting, reinventing a traditional tailoring technique used in the early 1900s.
·       Cecile Tulkens, graduate of Central Saint Martins’ BA Fashion Design with Knitwear, for her ability to combine traditional and industrial techniques, incorporating an ancient form of crocheting originated in Belgium into her work.
·       Zoe Atkinson, graduate of University of the Arts London, BA Textile Design, with her amour-like knitwear combining natural materials such as leather skins, wood and soft woolen textures, to create an inventive outlook of future materiality.

Since 2014 Tengri has championed the sustainable design and manufacturing of prestige noble yarns and was the first technology specialist to refine Khangai yak yarns in the UK.  Rare Mongolian yak fibres from the Khangai yaks are as soft as cashmere, warmer than merino wool, breathable and hypoallergenic, via a 100% transparent supply chain.   Tengri is listed in the Sustania100 2016 guide as one of the world’s leading sustainable business solutions, and its founder, Nancy Johnston, was presented with the Asian Women of Achievement Entrepreneur Award 2016.

Photos supplied by Tengri.

Textile experts to judge this year’s TexSelect Awards in Paris at Première Vision Designs

Helen Palmer, director of textiles, materials & knitwear at WGSN and her team at WGSN will be choosing a winner for a new award this year, the WGSN TexSelect Textiles of the Future Award.

“As Foundation Sponsors of TexSelect, we decided to do more for TexSelect and the young designers it supports, as well as raise awareness of the world-critical issue of sustainability. WGSN is all about the future and future creativity and helping to showcase upcoming talent, so this new award and everything it stands for is a perfect fit for us,” said Helen in an interview with TexSelect.

Separately Natasha Lenart of Victoria Beckham and Eda Karadogan of Ipekis are judging this year’s The Woolmark Company TexSelect Award.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity to encounter young designers with boundless creativity that hasn’t yet been influenced by the day-to-day of the working industry,” says Natasha Lenart, who is fabric and knitwear development manager at Victoria Beckham.
Eda Karadogan from historic Turkish company Ipekis is equally enthused: “I am excited to be judging The Woolmark Company TexSelect Award. It’s such a good way to discover new talent and to support them.”

The winner of The Woolmark Company TexSelect Award will receive £1,000 plus ongoing support from The Woolmark Company and opportunities to learn about developments.The Woolmark Company has supported TexSelect since the charity was founded more than 40 years ago, with the Award established in 2011. It recognises design excellence in fabrics created with 60% or more Merino wool, whether presented as printed, woven, knitted and/or mixed media fabric.

Other awards also to be announced on Thursday 20 September in the DESIGNS FACTORY area of Première Vision Designs, Hall 5, will include the Fashion Prize, Interiors Prize (donated by Clothworkers' Company), Pattern Prize (donated by Liberty London Fabrics), and Colour Prize (donated by mode...information and Pantone).

Also to be announced are the Marks & Spencer TexSelect Fashion Textile Award, and the Worshipful Company of Woolmen TexSelect Design Innovation Award for Wool in Interiors.

Congratulations to ethical shoe brand Po-Zu! No. ONE again!

Ethical British shoe brand Po-Zu is once again ranked top of the ethical index for shoe & trainers brands for the 11th year.  Having passed their annual independent audit for another consecutive year means that Po-Zu comes highly recommended by The Good Shopping Guide.

Along with multiple sustainability awards, including Best Ethical Fashion Brand 2017, the brand has emerged as a true ethical and sustainable footwear, producing men and women’s vegan shoes and non-leather shoes, ethically handcrafted in Portugal in line with ethical and sustainable standards, using natural materials – including cork, coconut fibre, latex, organic cotton, pure wool tweed, and chrome-free leathers.

The brand’s foundation of ethical principles begins with its mission to change the trend for fast fashion and mass-production of shoes which is eating up resources and exploiting vulnerable workers.

This year Po-Zu also released a collection of official Star Wars branded footwear including a funky range of Rebel Alliance boots and shoes for men, women and children  who are fans of the popular sci-fi series.

The Etsy Awards UK and Ireland 2016 announces its winning line up.

Making things with our hands with the valuable time we have -  a trend that had sprung up since the financial crash of 2008 - has turned out to be what many modern consumers want to do today.

That's why it is understandable that Sincerely Louise - which designs DIY knitting kits that allow customers to create gigantic faux taxidermy trophy heads for their homes - has won the People's Choice Award, one of the winners in this year's Etsy Awards UK and Ireland.

Louise Walker, author of `Faux Taxidermy Knits`, designs every element herself and hand prints and packs each kit.  and believes that enabling people to be creative is a driving force behind her business'.  She also runs workshops for different knitting projects of all levels.  Louise's prize for winning the top award is £10,000 plus a chance to stock at John Lewis, one of the UK's favourite retailers.

Going through Sincerely Louise's website, I found this particular knitting kit for a faux fox scarf particularly enticing.  As a beginner in knitting, I may order it and give it a try.  It could be great for those rainy days spent indoors.

Etsy is a marketplace where millions of people around the world connect, both online and offline, to make, sell and buy unique goods. Founded in 2005 in New York, the Etsy community includes the creative entrepreneurs who sell on their platform, particularly appealing to thoughtful consumers looking to buy unique goods from their stable of retailers and manufacturers who partner with Etsy sellers to help them grow their businesses.

The 2016 Etsy Awards winners were handpicked from thousands of entries, and are a series of design awards created to celebrate and support local Etsy makers and designers throughout the UK and Ireland.

The expert panel of industry judges this year included Anna Rigby, John Lewis; Patricia Van den Akker, The Design Trust; Pip McCormac, Red Magazine and Erica Davies, The Edited. The People’s Choice Award winner, receiving the top prize of £10,000, was voted for by the public from the pool of 60 finalists.

Here's is the line up of the rest of the top prizes.
Home & Living Award

Gold winner: Estampe and Co, Prize £2,500
A collaboration of two artist-designers their patterns are based on endangered species and tribes native to the Amazonian region and are designed to inspire eco-friendliness and habitat conservation. They are printed using non-toxic inks on non-woven paper from certified forests. Their range also features an innovative ‘peel and stick’ wallpaper option. 5% from each sale is donated to an organisation which promotes the sustainable use of resources.
Silver winner: Factory Twenty One
Bronze winner: Naive Noir Furniture

Fashion & Accessories Award
Gold winner: Pluck’d Designs, Prize £2,500
East Londoner Saffie Pluck has developed her own reflective yarn using local mills and suppliers. She designs and hand knits accessories and clothing for urban cyclists and runners. The products look normal during the day and seamlessly transform to highly functional, reflective pieces at night. Pluck’d Designs’ ethos is focused on creating everyday slow fashion, with quality being a top priority, ensuring that her products will last season in, season out.
Silver winner: R Palmer Jewellery
Bronze winner: Katie Brown Designs

Kids & Baby Award
Gold winner: Button and Blue, Prize £2,500
Amy is a Brighton based mum of two who started her Etsy shop to facilitate flexible working hours around raising her children. Knitting was her hobby which she transformed into a business. She knits with natural fibres and her designs are minimal and classic with a pop of fun. She hopes to get Button and Blue products into stores and would like to see a local network of parent run businesses.
Silver winner: The Fox in the Attic
Bronze winner: Sian Zeng

Retail Star Award
Gold winner: Yvonne Ellen, Prize £2,500
Yvonne Ellen homeware is a unique range of tableware designed to add charm and intrigue to the home. Yvonne combines a passion for beautiful fine bone china with a love of quirky, decorative illustration in her ranges. Every piece is designed and made in Britain. She handmakes the majority of her collection, with a selection of pieces made in one of the original pottery factories in Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
Silver winner: L'Etabli London
Bronze winner: Papio Press

Etsy New Talent Award
Gold winner: FeatherOak, Prize £2,500
Alexandra is 19 years old from rural Northumberland. She gathers many of her resources locally, including crystals, bone, sea glass and coal. Months of research and planning went into opening her Etsy shop, she sold sheep skulls online to raise the funds to buy a professional camera and taught herself photography. Alex hopes to expand her jewellery production into working with precious metals such as silver and gold and would love to travel around Britain to gather more natural treasures for her work.
Silver winner: Laura Slater Print
Bronze winner: Rowenna Mason Weaving

For more info on the winners, click HERE. 

Weird Fish scoops prestigious ECMOD Direct Commerce Award

Congratulations to British casual clothing brand Weird Fish for winning the Best Multichannel Retailers Business to Consumer Award at this year’s ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards.

Weird Fish clothing is available to buy nationally from Weird Fish retail stores and online. There are 13 branded stores and stockists including Debenhams, Cotswold Outdoor, Haskins and Blacks Leisure. 

The ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards spearhead the recognition of business excellence for organisations engaged in direct-to-customer retailing across traditional and newly emerging channels. With categories designed for those targeting sales to businesses as well as for those selling to consumers, these Awards also celebrate the achievements of businesses of all scales.

By utilising channels such as Amazon and eBay as well as its own website, Weird Fish won the Best Multichannel Retailers Business to Consumer Award with annual sales of between £5 million and £15 million.

Gerald Dawson, finance director at Weird Fish, says: “It was an absolute honour to receive this award on behalf of everyone at Weird Fish. We have been incredibly busy in the last year, introducing new products, opening stores and increasing our internet orders by 60 per cent so it was nice to take time out to mix with our peers at the Direct Commerce Awards.”

Cheltenham-based Weird Fish is currently shortlisted for the Cotswold Live Engineering, Manufacturing and Innovation (EMI) Awards in the Best Place to Work category. Winners will be announced on September 22.

Luxury dog bedding company Charley Chau named Fusion 2014 Entrepreneurs of the Year

Raised wooden dog bed by Charley Chau.

Luxury dog bedding company Charley Chau's co-founders - sister duo Christine and Jenny Chau - have been named as the Fusion 2014 Entrepreneurs of the Year.

The sisters founded Charley Chau in 2010 after endless frustrating searches for good quality and stylish dog beds. The pair took matters into their own hands one Saturday afternoon and designed and made their own on their sitting room floor. After posting photos on Facebook of what has become Charley Chau’s signature “Snuggle Bed” the sisters were inundated with requests and Charley Chau was born.

According to a new report published by AMA Research with a comprehensive analysis of the pet accessories market and forecasts of future prospects up to 2017, pet accessories are part of the overall UK pet market which was valued at £4.8 billion in 2012. The pet accessories market accounts for an estimated 16% of this overall market, valued at an estimated £779 million in 2012.
Dogs and cats are key to the performance of the pet accessories market, each accounting for an estimated 30-35% share of the market respectively. Fish & reptiles continue to gain share,  accounting for an estimated 12-16% share.  Leading sectors of the pet accessories market are toys (accounting for around 30-35% of the market) and care product at over 40%.   Housing, bedding & feeding are also a significant sector  and are often part of a ‘starter kit’ for many new pets.

Faux-fur dog blanket by Charley Chau.

Sisters Christine and Jenny Chau are self-confessed “crazy dog ladies” who founded their luxury dog bedding business as a quirky side-line hobby  in 2010, and two years later the business had taken on a life of its own and they had to make a decision: shut Charley Chau down or leave their day jobs. Charley Chau won and they haven’t looked back since. 

Christine said, “When we started Charley Chau we both had full time jobs [Christine previously worked in the  marketing communications at one point running Marketing and Events for the Mayor of London, and Jenny is from an investment banking background] so we had to do everything in the evenings and at weekends.

The sisters share their home with four Italian Greyhounds (Charley Chau is named after their first dog) and they put a large part of their success down to being “dog people” and understanding the problems that dog people face when it comes to choosing bedding for their dogs.

Rattan dog bed by Charley Chau.

“We design dog beds and blankets that are super-comfy, stylish and practical. Comfort of the dogs has to come first but styling and performance are hot on its heels. Just because someone loves their dog it doesn’t mean that they’ve had a style malfunction! As well as wanting their dogs to be as cosy as possible, most dog people also want the inside of their homes to look great.”

Now in its fourth year Charley Chau has happy customers in over twenty-five countries around the world with devotees from all walks of life including a host of television and radio personalities.

The company has experienced exponential growth since launch in 2010 and 2014 looks set to be another strong year helped by major deals including a contract signed with big-brand retailer Ocado earlier this year.