Last Thursday saw the glitz and glamour of a red carpet event sparkle at the final ceremony of The National Vintage Awards.

The awards, which were created by The Vintage Directory to celebrate the small, independent businesses that make up the vintage scene, were presented by 1940s style singer Lola Lamour. The historic and unique Fazeley Studios in Digbeth, Birmingham, was the ideal venue for the awards ceremony where twelve businesses were presented with trophies, champagne and goody bags as Miss Lamour sang her way through classics such as ‘Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend’.

Throughout the start of 2013, businesses and individuals that felt they deserve recognition for their hard work and passion for vintage were invited to enter under a selection of categories, including Best Online Shop, Best Vintage Wedding Fair and Best Vintage Fair. Nominees were then put forward for the public vote, before being shortlisted for the final.

Awards were judged by well known vintage VIPs including author of Style Me Vintage: Clothes, Naomi Thompson, Rachel Egglestone- Evans, Editor of Vintage Life Magazine and Lynsey Le Keux of The Vintage Salon. Other guest judges include Sara Gibbs, Editor of wedding blog Under the Vintage Veil, vintage fashion expert Liz Trenzenga, Lena Weber, Editor-in-Chief of The Vintage Guide to London and Queens of Vintage and owner of The Vintage Directory, Kate Molloy.

Members of the public also joined in the glitz and glamour and were entertained by performances from female vocal trio My Favourite Things; the Michael Buble style singer Phil Lyons; free photos from The Vintage Photobooth Company; free mini makeovers by The Vintage Salon; cakes, sweets and ice cream from Something Borrowed Wedding Hire and a mini vintage fair featuring stalls from the likes of Birmingham based vintage style shoe maker ‘agnes & norman’. Models from Sugabilly’s Pin Up Agency were also there to add to the glamour.

Winners, finalists and guests were then treated to an after-party hosted by It’s a Wind Up Vintage 78 DJs spinning their records on traditional turntables with professional dance instructors Jump Jive Swing showing off their moves. The drinks were flowing, Fazeley Studios was jumping and it really was THE event of this year’s vintage calendar!

For more information and photos visit www.thenationalvintageawards.co.uk.