Kennett blog

Organisers have announced a stellar line up of judges that will join Scotland's internationally recognised celebration of fashion. Judges include Eilidh MacAskill (Editor InStyle), Rankin (Photographer) Brian Duffy, (President of Ralph Lauren Europe), Dolly Jones (Editor of Vogue.com), Caroline Rush (CEO British Fashion Council), Nathalie Colin (Creative Director Swarovski), Sarah Mower (European Editor US Vogue & Ambassador for Emerging Talent BFC), Paula Reed (Style Director Grazia), Professor Wendy Dagworthy (Head of Fashion & Textiles at RCA, London), Brigitte Stepputtis (Head of Couture Vivienne Westwood), Simon Lock (Founder of Mercedes Benz Australia Fashion Week and CEO of Lock Group), Joanna Coles (Editor in Chief Marie Claire USA), Trish Halpin (Editor in Chief Marie Claire UK), Maurice Mullen (Head of Fashion and Luxury at London Evening Standard and ES Magazine), Sara Maino (Senior Fashion Editor Vogue Italia), Richard Walker (Sunday Herald & Weekend Editor) and chaired by event founder & producer Tessa Hartmann.

Sara Maino said: "I always feel honored when invited in a jury where you get the opportunity to see talented designers and give them the chance to get introduced in the fashion system. Emerging talents are our future and we as professionals have to support them."

Rankin who won the prestigious Hall of Fame award in 2011 also joins the panel and said: "Its my pleasure and honour to have been asked to be a judge on the Scottish Fashion Awards panel. I have great pride in the country I was born in, and am delighted to be able to take part in an event that throws the spotlight on the great fashion industry talent that comes from Scotland."

Editor of Maire-Claire USA Joanna Cole said: "I am thrilled to be invited to judge the Scottish fashion awards because on a personal level I spent all my childhood vacations as a child on the West Coast of the Scotland, mostly on the spectacular Island of Mull, but I still remember the summer we spent on the Outer Hebrides where we went to see where Harris Tweed came from. I was spellbound watching the balls of wool get stretched and spun into rich tapestries, the dense greens, browns, purples and blues mirroring the gorgeous landscapes around us. Over the years on a professional level I have watched as Scotland has emerged as a leading player in design and fashion. No longer a side show, it is central in producing great, unexpected talents who reflect the country's complicated fascinating, romantic and fierce past, and I look forward to seeing who will emerge this year."

Now a firm fixture on Swarovski's International Red Carpet Calendar which includes The Golden Globes, The Oscars, Cannes Film Festival and The Scottish Fashion Awards, celebrity guests will be accessorized by the brand and indulge in the opulent Swarovski style suite available for VIP's at the 5 star Blythswood Square, official hotel partner for the 2012 event. Swarovski will also present an exclusive runway show previewing for the first time in the UK the upcoming Winter 2012 'Kingdom of Jewels' fashion and couture collections, created by Nathalie Colin, the Paris based Creative Director.

Nathalie Colin said: "Swarovski are excited to support the Scottish Fashion Awards for the fourth successive year. It's such an exhilarating event and a fitting tribute to the outstanding fashion talent emerging from Scotland every year. Being one of the world's leading jewellery brands, Swarovski takes pride in nurturing and rewarding fashion's newest and brightest stars, so I'm excited to be back officially judging the work from this year's nominees".

The Scottish Fashion Awards have announced that international style icon Alexa Chung will host the 7th annual fashion extravaganza, which will take place in a new venue, The Clyde Autitorium on Monday 11th June 2012.

Through her work as a TV presenter and model, Alexa Chung is a hugely influential figure in the fashion industry and regularly champions British design talents. She has graced the covers of Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar as well as being a brand ambassador for multiple labels and muse to designers due to her inimitable personal style. We are delighted that Alexa will be gracing our tartan red carpet in June.

Founder and Chairman of the event Tessa Hartmann said: "I am really excited to open the award ceremony to the general public for the first time. It's going to be an incredible show with the most exciting runway collections, celebrity guests, a couture show from Swarovski Paris and most of all the most glamorous red carpet night of the year for Scotland as a nation, presented to our international guest list. It's thanks to the continued support from our generous sponsors and partners who help create this international platform for a fashionable Scotland. The world's eyes are on the Scottish Fashion Awards each and every year and I have no doubt that 2012 will be a night to remember for our heritage, fashion and style. Having Alexa Chung present this year's proceedings is a wonderful and stylish asset to the brand".

Organisers are also delighted to announce that the fashion and beauty bible InStyle, one of the UK's leading fashion magazines are partnering with this year's prestigious event.

With an eye on upcoming talent in film, fashion and beauty, along with a-listers, InStyle showcases the very best of international style talent, offering expert advice and an inspirational edit. The British edition of this international title was launched in 2001 and is currently edited by fellow Scot Eilidh MacAskill.

Over the last 7 years, the Scottish Fashion Awards has been attended by global fashion figures, designers and industry leaders, celebrities and VIP's and 2012 will be no exception. On Monday 11th June, we will celebrate with the Scots in true style on the tartan carpet.

Scotland's most prominent broadsheet and newspaper group The Herald and Times Group will be an official media partner once again, showcasing the very best of the nominees in the weeks leading up to the event in June across all their titles including The Herald, Sunday Herald and The Evening Times.

A host of other prestigious brands join the event once again bringing back some familiar faces plus a splattering of new names including Official Airport BAA Glasgow, Official Radio Capital FM, Official haircare Toni & Guy, the corner stone of British style, high street retailer Marks & Spencer, leading Scottish shopping centre Braehead, and new for 2012, House of Fraser, one of the UK's biggest and best department stores, Radley London - affordable and luxurious accessories, Official Make-up Bare Minerals and faithful supporters The Model Team, Peroni, Highland Spring, Select London and The Scottish Fashion Council. As we say here at SFA, this isn't just a celebration of Scottish fashion talent, it's a celebration of a fashionable Scotland!