Christopher Raeburn recognised at UKFT Awards

Designer Christopher Raeburn, accessories brand The Cambridge Satchel Company, and retailer Liberty London were among the names honoured at this year’s UK Fashion and Textile Awards. The awards, which were re-launched this

year to celebrate not only outstanding excellence in creativity, design and innovation, but also how each company performed commercially, presented 11 awards honouring designers, brands and retailers.

The coveted Designer of the Year award was presented to Christopher Raeburn, a designer recognised for his ethically-aware men’s and womenswear label. His was honoured not only for his “unique and innovative approach” to fashion design, which includes the use of re-appropriated military fabrics to create fashionable, functional pieces, but also for his continued commercial success in the UK and abroad.

Cambridge Satchel Company wins at UK Fashion and Textiles Awards

There was also further success for The Cambridge Satchel Company, the leather accessories brand took home the Exporter of the Year award, recognising the label for its international growth. This is the latest accolade for the Cambridge-based brand, last month it was also awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its international trade.

Other notable winners included iconic retailer Liberty London who were honoured as the Torque UKFT Retailer of the Year in recognition of their support for quality British collections, quirky jewellery label Tatty Devine picked up the Accessories Business Award, high street retailer Ted Baker took away the prize for Brand of the Year, and Emma J Shipley was named as Newcomer of the Year.

There was also success for Harris Tweed Hebridges, as the Scottish textile company scooped the Let’s Make it Here UK Manufacturer of the Year Award as well as Textile Business of the Year.

The awards also honoured Nadja Swarovski for her “exceptional contribution to the fashion industry” with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

John Miln, CEO of UKFT said: “We are thrilled to be supporting such a deserving group of nominees and winners at this year’s newly launched NatWest UK Fashion & Textile Awards. Their talent, creativity and innovation is truly inspiring and we look forward to celebrating this and their future successes with them.”

Image: UKFT Award Winners