Christopher Kane crowned Scottish Designer of the Year

London Fashion Week designer Christopher Kane was named Scottish Designer of the Year at the ninth annual Scottish Fashion Awards hosted in London last night. Kane, up against Jonathan Saunders and Holly Fulton, was awarded the honour for the third year running at the black tie gala co-hosted

by The Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael MP and awards founder and chair Dr Tessa Hartmann.

Commenting on the awards, Carmichael said: “These awards are respected around the world and, judged by a panel of renowned and esteemed international industry figures, they provide an invaluable platform for emerging Scottish talent,

textile manufacturers, and fashion's future leaders who were represented here this evening.

“Looking at the winners and nominees we are reminded of the importance their businesses play in exporting and promoting Scottish creativity, design and culture on the world stage.”

Other winners included emerging talents Hayley Scanlan who was presented with the Scottish Young Designer of the Year award and Colleen Leitch who was named Scottish Graduate of the Year. There were also honours for sixteen year old Jean Campbell, who was crowned Scottish Model of the Year having secured campaigns with Burberry and singer Amy Macdonald was awarded the Scottish Fashion Icon honour.

Christopher Kane, Simone Roche and Harvey Nichols win at Scottish Fashion Awards

Cashmere brand Dhu were crowned Scottish Textile Brand of the Year, while William Chambers Millinery took home the Scottish Accessory Designer of the Year award and Mackintosh Rainwear were recognised for their export success with the Scottish Exporter of the Year award.

There was also success for London Fashion Week designer Simone Rocha who was named International Designer of the Year for her Scottish inspired Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, beating off competition from Vivienne Westwood, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Mulberry and Maison Martin Margiela.

Hartmann added: “The Scots have played a significant part in the evolution of British fashion from our precious fabrics, yarns and textiles to our fashion designers, leading communicators and business players, many of whom were honoured here this evening.

“International designers continue to seek inspiration from our Scottish heritage and fabrics, and season after season we witness a tartan frenzy within collections manufactured and inspired by Scotland.”

There were also a number of retail awards, Abandon Ship Apparel received the Scottish Retailer of the Year, while Harvey Nichols Edinburgh fought off stiff competition from Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Emporio Armani to scoop Luxury Retailer of the Year (operating in Scotland).

In addition to Dame Vivienne Westwood being inducted into the Hall of Fame for her “love and passion” for Scottish textiles and fabrics, the awards also honoured supermodel David Gandy with the prestigious Founders Awards for his support of Scottish and British fashion over the last nine years, and Marks & Spencer and the British School of Fashion were named Fashion Ambassadors for their unique and exciting partnership, where they have set up a scholarship and creative hub at the school’s Fashion Street campus in London.

Images: Scottish Fashion Awards – Christopher Kane and Dame Vivienne Westwood