The 2009 Midlands Young Fashion Designer Awards (MYFDA) finalists have been announced. The 24 Midlands based finalists aged between 16-25 will be showcasing their collections and raw talent to fashion industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts all competing in their category to be named Midlands Young Fashion Designer of the Year 2009.

Contestants from all over the Midlands entered the competition to become Midlands Young Fashion Designer in three categories, Haute Couture, Ready to Wear and Evening Wear. The Midlands fashion event of the year will take place on Saturday 24th October 2009 at the Novotel, Birmingham where three Midlands designers will be in with the chance of winning prestigious prizes from work experience and mentoring with noted fashion designers in order to help them further their career in fashion.

· Haute Couture Finalists:
Nafisa Rashid, Birmingham, Jessica Harris, Staffordsire, Lucinda Holbrook, Worcestershire, Selina Smith, Staffordshire, Chloe Marshall. Birmingham and Heba El Husseini, Staffordshire

· Evening Wear Finalists:
Sophia Miller, Staffordshire, Christopher Trevis, Dudley, Melanie Palmer, Derby, Jagdeep Rehal, Birmingham, Catherine Woodward, Leicestershire and Reah Jervis-Xenos, Derbyshire

· Ready To Wear
Siobhan Noon, Derbyshire, Taejal Mistry, Leicester, Zorra Khan, Birmingham, Hanna Kille, Shropshire, Laura Smith, Staffordshire, Amy Purfield-Clark, Birmingham, Joanne Crossdale, Birmingham, Mary Fleck, Lincolnshire, Stephanie Barker, Staffordshire, Laura Fox, Derby, Bethany Rose Kinsella, Worcestershire and Samera Abid, Birmingham

Look out for weekly updates on the blog where we’ll be putting a spotlight on each designer and finding out how they feel about being a finalist.