Nominees for 8th Annual Scottish Fashion Awards Announced with News that Michael Moore MP, the Secretary of State for Scotland will Co-host Event in Dover House on 9th October 2013

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The nominees for 'Scottish Designer of the Year' are Jonathan Saunders, Holly Fulton, Chris Kane and Louise Gray. The 'International Designer of the Year' for best use of a Scottish fabric or Scottish inspired collection includes: Chanel, Victoria Beckham, Lou Dalton, Moncler Gamme Bleu and Moschino. For 'Scottish Young Designer of the Year' the nominees are Obscure Couture, Saunt and Sinner, Jacob Birge, Deetz, Jennifer Morris, Rebecca Torres and Iona Crawford.  The nominees for the 'Scottish Textile brand / designer of the Year' are Alice Palmer, Esk, Dhu, Rosie Sudgen, Brora and Eribe.  There are some 14 awards in all with full nominee shortlist available at http://www.scottishfashionawards.com.

An exclusive fashion panel including supermodel Stella Tennant, photographer Rankin, industry authority Colin McDowell MBE, Caroline Rush CEO of British Fashion Council and Sara Maino from Vogue Italia amongst others, will judge the finalists.

A series of special awards including the 'Hall of Fame, 'Fashion Ambassador', 'Scottish Fashion Innovator of the Year' and a new 'Founders Award' will be revealed in October at the glittering awards presentation and gala dinner hosted by MTV's Laura Whitmore.

The new venue is a magnificent Grade 1 listed Georgian Mansion, apart from being used in James Bond's 'Skyfall', is steeped in history and is synonymous with Scottish affairs within a UK context. The buildings magnificent rotunda and staircase will provide the backdrop for Scotland's finest designers, textile manufacturers and fashion players for the nations most high profile celebration of fashion and style.

The Secretary of State for Scotland said:

 "I'm delighted to co-host the 8th annual Scottish Fashion Awards at Dover House this year with Tessa Hartmann. The Awards have become one of the most high profile showcases of Scottish fashion, design and textiles in the country and are respected around the world. 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.

The Awards shine a global spotlight on our nation's work and honour those high profile global brands that continue to use Scottish cashmere and textiles within their own collections. It's important that we continue to support these awards and as such I'm pleased to welcome them to the home of the Scotland Office in London"

Awards founder Dr Tessa Hartmann said: "We've hosted this event in Scottish castles, contemporary and architecturally renowned Scottish buildings in Stirling and Glasgow over the last 7 years. To showcase the nations top talent in the UK's fashion capital London in 2013, will allow an even wider audience to become acquainted with what we have to offer as 'Fashion Scotland' and enable the talent to network with the UK's top industry players, fashion editors and buyers. London is after all the UK's fashion capital, it's where the top talent converses, exchange ideas, learn, grow and do business. It's a wonderful opportunity for everyone and I'm very grateful to the Secretary of State for Scotland for supporting the event and giving us this incredible platform."

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