MYFDA 2010 Finalists Announced

The Midlands Young Fashion Designer Awards (MYFDA) would like to announce the finalists for the 2010 Awards. The lucky finalists will take part in a fashion show where they will showcase three items from their collections, on Saturday 23rd October at Birmingham Conservatoire.

The MYFDA is a fashion platform for up and coming and emerging fashion designers from across Birmingham and the Midlands region created to showcase their talent and to compete to become Midlands Young Fashion Designer of the Year 2010.

The three categories include: Haute Couture, Ready to Wear and Evening Wear where one winner will be recognised in each category. From the three winners, one overall designer will then be crowned as Midlands Young Fashion Designer of the year by the fashion industry judges.

Preliminary judge Project Catwalk’s Viv Whelan said: “The level of entries was incredibly high and it was very difficult to decide who the finalists should be. There is always a tremendous buzz being involved in a big event like this and it will help drive the designers forward to try and achieve their dreams and goals.”

Alongside the prestigious awards, there are also some great prizes on offer to the winners of each category including a photo shoot and the opportunity to create their very own collection lookbook.

Now in its third year the MYFDA is a firm fixture on the Birmingham fashion calendar. This year’s event will include a VIP reception, spectacular fashion show, showcasing some of the Midland’s hottest new talent together with live entertainment. As well as the 24 finalists, six emerging and independent fashion and accessories designers will also be showcasing their collections and exhibiting their products and services to industry professionals and the public. The MYFDA will also be holding a raffle to raise funds for Acorns Children’s Charity.

MYFDA Founder and Events Director Jenny Eason said: “We had an overwhelming amount of entries this year’s MYFDA and I can’t wait to see all the entrants’ hard work coming to life on the catwalk.”

Partners of this year’s event include Motel Rocks Clothing and The Model Bank while Toni & Guy will be the official hair sponsors, styling the catwalk hair and providing Label M products for the VIP goody bags. 69 and Invazian News will also be offering the event extensive coverage throughout their magazine and online.  

By Farhana Nazir

It’s finally confirmed! The ONLY date for your diary this year is the 2010 MYFDA which is being held in the heart of Birmingham City Centre at the amazing Birmingham Conservatoire on 23^rd October 2010.

Expect extreme fashion indulgence and a talent overload at this year’s event where this year’s entries are set to display a pool of fantastic fashion talent within the Midlands. What better way to be catapulted into the limelight of your very own fashion career than to be applauded by more than a 400 strong audience and top fashionistas and fashion lovers.

Well, what can you expect from this year’s awards? A glittering entrée into such an amazing industry; a dream come true for the finalists, and your chance to mingle with tomorrows Cavalli or Chanel!

Come on Midlands, get your fashionable act together and keep your eyes peeled through those Prada sunnies on this very page for info on how to get tickets and give Midlands’ talent a big pat on the back!

Till next time, don’t fall prancing around in those Manolos!

For the third year running the MYFDA is taking applications for designers between 16-25 to compete to become Midlands Young Fashion Designers of 2010. This year’s event is expected to bigger and better with a new venue in the pipeline which will ensure one stylish night of awards.

Would you like to be involved in this year’s event? Take a look at our list below of ways you can be a part of the biggest fashion event to come to Birmingham:

Fashion Students, Graduates and Aspiring Designers

Think you’re the next Vivienne Westwood or Gareth Pugh and are looking for your big break? Check out how you can enter the MYFDA 2010 with the chance to win a fabulous prize which could catapult your career in the fashion industry.

Click here to find out how you can enter

Independent and Established Designers

Looking for a place to showcase your latest collection with the opportunity to present your brand to hundreds of fashionistas? The MYFDA offers a platform to independent and established designers where they can showcase between 4 and 6 outfits to an audience of over 200 potential customers. 6 designers will be selected to showcase their collection at the MYFDA 2010 Fashion Showcase.

Please request a separate entry form by email to the one on the site.

Exhibitors

As well as being a stylish fashion show the MYFDA is an ideal place to do some shopping and we welcome any new or established fashion related businesses who would like to book a space to sell their items.

Please contact info@myfashiondesigners.co.uk for information on how to purchase a space.

Models

We are on the lookout for aspiring or established models who are looking for an opportunity to build their portfolio. If you think you’ve got the Naomi Campbell walk or legs to die for like Gisele then get in contact with us.

Calling all Stylists, Make-Up Artists, PR and Graphic Designers!

If you want a career in fashion and are looking for some great experience to add to your CV email us to find out how you can get involved.

Helen Mary began through the love for luxurious materials and bringing these together to create an exclusive design, allowing women to literally feel beautiful.

After designing for high street retailers and overseeing mass production garment samples in The Far East, Helen Mary decided she wanted to offer more individual and gracious hand made garments within the UK and so created her own exclusive women’s wear collections. Attention to detail with the use of Swarovski crystal fastenings and detailing with contrasting beautiful fabrics is what has gained Helen Mary her signature style for understated elegance. All of Helen Mary’s garments are designed and hand made in the UK.

To see items from the Helen Mary collection click here.

This year we have some amazing judges for the Midlands Young Fashion Designer Awards, make sure you check out their work.

Gavin Douglas – Fashion Designer

Birmingham born Douglas is a “dynamic, young designer who carefully researches, designs and crafts each individual piece of clothing, ensuring its uniqueness and quality.” He has become well known in the fashion industry drawing critical acclaim from some of the most influential names in fashion. In 2006 he won first place at the Fashion Fringe designer awards in London and showcased a full collection at London Fashion Week in 2007.

Sulaimi Brookman – Fashion Designer
Brookman was born in Singapore and knew from an early age he was destined for a career in the fashion industry. Due to his experiences working in a Versace boutique he now primarily focuses on turning haute couture gowns into ready to wear pieces all the time remembering the woman he is designing for is key to the process; flattering all women’s shapes and sizes. Brookman has now moved to Birmingham and his business is based from a studio in the Custard Factory. Part of the inspiration for his new collection came from French queen Marie Antoinette, combined with themes from the film Dangerous Liaisons. Check out his amazing collection by clicking here.

Helen Parker– Me Myself & I Online Boutique owner

Me, Myself & I sells fashion and accessory pieces from an array of independent designers on an online web shop. Using e-commerce guarantees the collections advertised online become available to a global market, opening up the sales essentially, worldwide. Many of the designers support local manufacturing using organic fabrics and hand sourced vintage materials.