2019 was the twelfth year for the Midlands Fashion Awards, which were sponsored by JDR Branding, The Flash Centre, My Flamingos LTD and the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. The awards provide an established and dedicated showcase for independent, emerging and creative talent from the wider Midland’s region, from designers to makeup artists and photographers.

There were seven categories in total in 2019 including the sustainability designers’ category which catered for the current demand for more environmental and sustainable fashion. Looking after the environment has become pivotal and the fashion industry is adapting with these times.

The event included a catwalk show of each of the finalist’s designs, as well as some guest designers of which were past winners and also several established designers including Jackie Maguire Clothing, IN&OUT Fashion and fashion label Après Lunar’ by Rose Brown. The event also included shopping stalls from each of the accessory finalists and a networking opportunity, culminating in the awards show.

MFA founder and director, Jenny Eason, commented: “The Midlands Fashion Awards has been championing creative fashion talent from across the Midlands, including Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands, for well over a decade.

“The 2019 awards have been phenomenal, and the calibre of the candidates has blown me and the rest of the judges away. We have some amazing talent within the region, and we are so pleased that we can give them this platform to showcase their designs and help them to launch their own businesses.”

The judges included Carry Somers, founder and global operations director of Fashion Revolution; Frances Baron, fashion designer at FG4 by George Davies; Lisa Shepherd, multiple award winner in the hairdressing industry; Matt Wilson, fashion photographer; Laura Quick, creative director at the Central School of Make-up; professional make-up artist, Diana Stoencheva; Michelle Beddall, lecturer at the University College of Birmingham and Rebecca Francis, award-winning makeup artist.

There is one winner and runner up in each category and as well as a trophy and certificate, prizes included expert mentoring from industry professionals, editorial photoshoots and PR and social media promotion.

And the 2019 winners are:

Young Designer of the Year
Winner: Convergence by Lucy Taylor, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Studied at Derby University
Runner up: Sergiu-Marian Bechian, Solihull, West Midlands (Studied at Birmingham City University)

Sustainability Designer of the Year
Winner: Serefina Rose Charles, Luton (front pic – Studied at Nottingham Trent University)
Runner up: Thanushree Ravichandran, Birmingham (Studied at Birmingham City University)

Emerging Designer of the Year 2
Winner: Isabelle Pennington-Edmead, Warrington, (pictured – Studied at Nottingham Trent University)
Runner up: Fabiha Sultana, Solihull, West Midlands (Studied at Birmingham City University)

Accessory Designer of the Year
Winner: Abigail Burvill, Warwick
Runner up: Amelia Roe, Shropshire
(Both studied at the Birmingham School of Jewellery)

Professional Make-up Artist of the Year
Winner: Chetna Ladwa, Birmingham
Runner up: Stephanie Morgan, SMJ Beauty,Telford, Shropshire

Rising Star Make-up Artist of the Year
Winner: Miriam Bibi, Coventry
Runner up: Makeup by Melisa Kay, Birmingham