SCOTTISH FASHION AWARDS

Nathalie Colin is the Creative Director of the Consumer Good Business division of the Swarovski Group, the world's leading producer of cut crystal.

For the past three years, she has infused the Jewellery, Accessories and Crystal Living collections with her creativity, both for the Swarovski and the Daniel Swarovski couture lines.

Born in 1966, Nathalie Colin studied both Marketing at the French Business school "Ecole Supérieure de Commerce" (ICN) in France and Fashion in the United States, at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Nathalie's first experience in the fashion scene was quite remarkable, working for Perry Ellis, alongside the inspired designer Marc Jacobs.

From 1989 to 1999, her strong skills in fashion and marketing opened the doors to the Promostyl agency, where she was in charge of developing the design bureau's consultancy activity in France and abroad. She extended the company's activity with an eclectic range of areas from ready-to-wear fashion to accessories, costume jewellery, lingerie, sport, trade shows, cosmetics and luxury jewellery. In 1994, she started her collaboration with Swarovski on a consulting basis on projects related to trends and early product concept development.

During these ten years, Nathalie Colin kept fine-tuning and sharpening her perception and vision, increasing her knowledge of markets and brands and of their needs and expectations. "Brands need to keep re-inventing themselves, as the world around us is constantly changing", says Nathalie Colin.

In 2000 she founded Cultural Sushi, a brand and design strategy consultancy agency, the name referring to her lifelong passion and fascination for Asia.

She left her agency in 2006 to join Swarovski as the Creative Director, convinced by the extraordinary creative potential of crystal. "Cut crystal is a material that seemingly changes all the time. It's a living material, impregnated by its environment that creates an infinite number of poetic reflections and reveals indefinite mysterious facets. 'The Poetry of Precision', the Swarovski design language reflects the endless possibilities and styles, from romantic to the most avant-garde."

"My role as a creative director is to make the brand appealing and unique, finding the fine balance between the rich heritage and the freshness of new ideas. This in turn is reflected in the style and consistency of the collections as well as in the image of communication. I believe that just because a brand is strong, it doesn't mean that it can be grafted on to all kinds of products in a whole variety of domains. It is essential to remain true to the brand values and legitimate territory, but to push the boundaries of creation every season."

As Swarovski is considered a "Modern Lux" brand, (exclusive while remaining accessible) - a unique position at the heart of the luxury scene - Nathalie's Colin objective is to combine emotion and accessibility, easy wearing and uniqueness within the Jewellery, Accessories as well as Crystal Living lines.

Nathalie Colin's inspires the company's creative team to reach new heights:
In 2007, Elvis and Erika, two playful characters have become favourite motifs.
In 2008, the Swan logo was interpreted to shape an iconic signature pattern: the Swanflower&ref;, which now is already part of the Swarovski heritage and DNA.
A brand new boutique design was created in close collaboration with the famous Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka, resulting in the stunning "crystal forest" concept. Last but not least, 2009 saw the launch of the new watch collection at the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show.
It is Nathalie Colin's unique expertise that season after season respects the pioneering and innovating spirit of Swarovski family - and fuses heritage with modernity.

In 1895, Daniel Swarovski, a Bohemian inventor and visionary, moved to the village of Wattens, Tyrol in Austria, with his newly-invented machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewelry stones. From this beginning that revolutionized the fashion world, Swarovski has grown to be the world's leading producer of precision-cut crystal for fashion, jewelry and more recently lighting, architecture and interiors. Today, the Swarovski group, still family-owned and run by 4th and 5th generation family members, has a global reach with some 24,800 employees, a presence in over 120 countries and a turnover in 2009 of 2.25 billion Euros. Swarovski comprises two major businesses, one producing and selling loose elements to the industry and the other creating design-driven finished products. Swarovski crystals have become an essential ingredient of international design. Since 1965 the company has also catered to the fine jewelry industry with precision-cut genuine and created gemstones. Showing the creativity that lies at the heart of the company, Swarovski's own brand lines of accessories, jewelry and home décor items are sold through more than 1,800 retail outlets worldwide. The Swarovski Crystal Society has close to 350,000 members across the world, keen collectors of the celebrated crystal figurines. And in Wattens, Swarovski Kristallwelten, the multi-media crystal museum, was opened in 1995 as a celebration of Swarovski's universe of innovation and inspiration. The Swarovski group also includes Tyrolit&ref;, manufacturing grinding tools, Swareflex, for road safety reflectors and Swarovski Optik, producing precision optical instruments.

NATHALIE COLIN SAID:

"Swarovski is delighted to partner again, for the third consecutive year, with the Scottish Fashion Awards. This is the best platform to promote Scottish talents who express their creativity internationally. Swarovski has always supported the creative talents in fashion and related art-design fields - a visionary approach initiated already in 1895 by the founder Daniel Swarovski I. Being one of the most important brand in jewelry, Swarovski will be thrilled to share the upcoming Winter 2011 fashion jewelry and couture collections with the press and audience during an exclusive catwalk event. I personally will have the pleasure to join the jury and greet the winner of the Best Accessory Designer of the year.

"The collection tells about a modern dance show called "Wings of Fantasy". Part of the collection is inspired by the backstage of our muse's dressing room filled with souvenirs, pictures and treasures from the time she was a famous ballet dancer ("Cabinet of Dreams"). The second part of the collection has an onstage signature, with spectacular jewels adorning our muse as she performs as a bird woman dancing character ("Mysterious Disguise"). The collection has classical roots yet is contemporary in its interpretation. The entire collection reveals emotion and offers a delicate multifaceted vision of femininity."

Dolly Jones first stepped into the world of fashion, post-History of Art at Manchester University, in 1998 for three weeks work experience that turned into six months as editorial assistant at Vogue magazine. Next up was the London College of Printing periodical journalism course, which commissioned her to interview "someone at the top of their game" - Alexandra Shulman kindly obliged - and then the "Writer" job at VOGUE.COM came up in January 2000. Eleven years later - after breaking news every day, working with the Conde Nast Digital team to develop and expand the site to its fullest potential - she is now responsible for an awarding-winning website that boasts a million unique users per month and is the most fashion-forward and regularly updated fashion destination online. She also acts as Executive Editor of the Conde Nast Digital portfolio.

DOLLY JONES - VOGUE.COM EDITOR SAID:

"I'm very happy that we are once again working with the Scottish Fashion Awards. Tessa and her team have developed these awards into an unmissable annual event that gets better every year - it gives Scottish fashion talent a deserved place in the limelight and allows us to celebrate the designers whose careers we have been watching since the beginning as they take their place on the international stage."

Glasgow born Brian Duffy started life as a Scottish Chartered Accountant and spent most of his life working in London, France, Switzerland and the US. As Group President of Polo Ralph Lauren Europe and the Middle East since 2003, sales have doubled during his tenure. The brand has expanded into European territories such as Russia and other Eastern European countries.

Previously, Brian was the Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Vice President of London-based Sara Lee Courtaulds, a division of Sara Lee Corporation, where he was responsible for approximately $1 billion in annual sales.

In 2009 Brian became a member of GlobalScot, an international business network of over 850 senior influential business leaders who are committed to generating opportunities for Scotland.

Brian is married and has four children. He speaks English (with a strong Scottish accent!) and French. We are delighted to welcome such an influential global fashion figure back onto the judging panel for 2011.

BRIAN DUFFY SAID:

'I am very happy to be a judge at the Scottish Fashion Awards for the second year running. They are an important platform for nurturing creative fashion talents in Scotland, and as a Glaswegian it's great to see home-grown brands and young designers getting such support'.

Hilary Alexander is the Fashion Director of The Daily Telegraph. She has worked at the newspaper for over 20 years.

Hilary has twice been awarded the British Fashion Journalist of the Year at the British Fashion Awards - first in 1998, and then in 2003. She has also been awarded the title Visiting Professor by the University of the Arts, London , and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Design (DDes) from Nottingham Trent University .

Hilary has extensive broadcast experience - she is often asked to provide a breakdown or comment on the latest trends for shows such as GMTV, BBC Breakfast and various documentaries for BBC1, BBC2 and Channel 4. She is also regularly approached by radio stations and Sky News for her expert views.

Hilary is valued as a judge on various panels - such as the Bright Young Gems at International Jewellery London, awards held by the Ethical Fashion Forum, and is a member of the British Fashion Council's Press Committee.

She is the regular stylist and presenter for the Designer Wedding Shows in London , and recently styled The Household Cavalry's 'Fashion for the Brave' charity event at The Dorchester.

Born in New Zealand , Hilary is a cat-lover and passionate traveller - her extensive reporting from the international catwalk shows for The Daily Telegraph and styling of her fashion pages sees her indulge in her love of going to new places.

Paula Reed is style director of the international award winning UK weekly fashion magazine, Grazia. Launched in 2004 it is selling over 1,000,000 copies a month and is widely acclaimed as one of the style industry's hottest fashion titles.

Paula' TV work includes several series a judge on Project Catwalk and fashion expert on10 Years Younger for Channel 4.

Born and educated in Ireland, Paula Reed moved to London in the 1980's in the middle of London's renaissance as a booming international fashion capital. On PR guru Lynne Franks team, she worked with superstar designers Katharine Hamnett and Body Map and later with Jasper Conran and Rifat Ozbek.

In the 1990's Paula became a fashion editor, starting as deputy on the iconic Independent fashion pages and ending up with a six year stint as fashion director on The Sunday Times.

There followed, positions as fashion director on UK Harpers Bazaar, Conde Nast Traveller and In Style. During this time, her freelance writing appeared in publications as varied as The Financial Times, British Vogue, Elle Decoration and Town and Country in the US.

In 2003, she became a columnist for You Magazine and US In Style, while relocating with her family to New York. There she received an advance for her first fashion book, Style Clinic, from Harper Collins, which was published in 2009. It continues to be a best seller.

Paula has served as an external assessor on the St Martins MA course in fashion journalism since 2007. And in 2010 she was also on the panel for the Brit Insurance Designs Of The Year for the Design Museum.

Sarah Mower is a fashion journalist whose work has crossed from newspaper and magazine writing into internet reviewing and criticism, consulting with retailers, and mentoring young designers. She is the London- based European Editor of American Vogue.com, a contributor to American Vogue and a fashion columnist for the Telegraph. Apart from interviewing the great designers of the world, her main purpose is assisting in shaping the direction and success of young British designers internationally. In 2002, Sarah became a member of the British Fashion Council's New Generation panel, helping to steer the Topshop-sponsored scheme which gives free catwalk shows and provides business advice. New Gen which has cemented the careers of Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Christopher Raeburn, Mary Katrantzou, Holly Fulton, and Louise Gray. among many others. Since 2009, Sarah has been The British Fashion Council's first Ambassador for Emerging Talent, spearheading the opening of the London Showrooms in Paris and New York, where designers meet top magazine editors and journalists and sell to buyers from luxury goods stores all over the world. She is a columnist for The Daily Telegraph and a visiting professor at The Royal College of Art and Central Saint Martin's.

SARAH MOWER SAID:

"All eyes are on Scotland now, not just because of the huge influx of Scottish fashion designers who are making a mark on the international scene, but because the world has become obsessed with all things crafted traditionally in Scotland. The winter shows have been all about tartan, Scottish cashmere, Harris tweed, Argyles, handknitting, kilts, so 2011 is really Scotland's fashion year."

Caroline Rush was appointed CEO of the British Fashion Council in April 2009. Charged with strengthening London Fashion Week, engaging the industry and creating a legacy for the organisation's 25th anniversary in 2009 she has played a key role in attracting brands such as Burberry and Pringle and British designers such as Antonio Berardi and Jonathan Saunders back to London. Her focus is to maintain and enhance the UK's reputation as being global innovators in fashion design, promote the industry to a global audience and assist designer businesses to develop and grow. She has 18 years' experience in Marketing and PR across both consumer and corporate communications in fashion, music and lifestyle sectors.

Passionate about magazines (she's edited ELLE, ELLEgirl, Just Seventeen and worked on Harper's Bazaar on both sides of the Atlantic), Sarah Bailey's adventures in fashion, art and popular culture have seen her interview everyone from Victoria Beckham to Elsa Peretti, Donatella Versace and Madonna. Stepping outside the world of glossy publishing, she frequently contributes catalogue essays on fashion and art, is a committee member of the Whitechapel Gallery's Art Plus series and fundraises for the charity Women for Women International. Brought up in Manchester (a city she credits with stoking her creative inclinations), her home these days is Gospel Oak, north London.

SARAH BAILEY SAID:

"From the fairytale pastoral of Bill Gibb; to the savage beauty of Alexander McQueen, whose Scottish heritage was key to his vision and identity; to the wit, invention and technical acuity of Christopher Kane; the design talent that has emerged from Scotland has long stolen our hearts and changed our way of looking at fashion."

Professor Wendy Dagworthy joined the Royal College of Art in 1998 where she became a Professor and Head of Fashion, becoming Head of the School of Fashion & Textiles in 2000.

She formed her own company in 1972 and two years later joined the prestigious London Designer Collections, where she subsequently became Director from 1982-1990. She had huge success during the 1970s and 80s selling her collections to an international market and exhibited seasonally at London, Milan, New York and Paris, which confirmed the importance of her contribution to the international fashion industry. In 1989 she became Course Director at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

During the 1990s she became a design consultant to companies such as Laura Ashley, Liberty and Betty Jackson; a consultancy role which she still maintains. She has participated in various exhibitions, including the Cutting Edge exhibition in 1997 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, The London Look 2004, Museum of London and Focus on 4 Designers 2007, Bath Museum of Fashion.

Her personal dedication and passion for the fashion industry is reflected in the overwhelming amount of work she undertakes for all aspects of the industry. She has been a judge of many art and design projects, awards and competitions and has given lectures all over the world. She has been a member of key international and professional committees and remains an External Examiner for several major European colleges. Her ongoing commitment and influence continues with her membership of the British Fashion Council's management Council - a position held since 1996.

She was awarded an OBE for services to the fashion industry in the 2011 New Years Honours List.

WENDY DAGWORTHY SAID:

"I am thrilled to be a judge for the Scottish Fashion Awards. I think it is great that they honour and support the many talented designers that are helping to shape the future of fashion internationally."

Career details

2009-present - Sunday Herald and Weekend Editor
2004-2009 - Deputy Editor, Sunday Herald
1999-2001 - Assistant Editor (Production), Sunday Herald
1994-1999 - Deputy Features Editor, Daily Record
1993-1994 - Deputy Editor, Scotsman Magazine
1992-1993 - Design Executive, Evening Times
1990-1992 - Assistant Editor, Scotland on Sunday, Spectrum
1988-1990 - Deputy chief sub, Scotland on Sunday
1987-1988 - Editor, Ayrshire Leader
1985-1987 - Editor, Ayr Advertiser
1977-1985 - Various position within what was then Guthrie Newspapers in Ayrshire, including chief reporter and deputy editor of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald

Education:

St Patrick's Primary School, Troon
St Michael's Academy, Kilwinning
Edinburgh College of Commerce (pre-entry journalism)

Interests:

Music and the arts, cinema, reading, design, politics, travelling

Hartmann Media is an award winning fashion and lifestyle communications agency based just outside Glasgow . Founded almost 14 years ago by Tessa Hartmann, the company has grown in stature and reputation and boasts a small but dynamic team with an abundance of public relations, brand marketing and event management experience. In 2010 the company launched a specialist broadcast production unit and has already produced numerous fashion VT's and videos for corporate clients.

Having studied at Stirling University and graduating with a degree in Marketing and Business, Tessa has worked around the world including Washington DC and London on a variety of blue chip brands before specialising in her passion - fashion!

Tessa set up the first truly specialized fashion and lifestyle agency in Scotland and has accumulated a host of awards since. Such accolades from the Institute of Public Relations Pride Awards & Public Relations Excellence Awards have earned the agency the reputation as Scotland 's authority on fashion and lifestyle and a client roster that includes some of the world's most luxurious brands. With her team, Hartmann Media have worked with Ralph Lauren, Swarovski, LK Bennett, Patek Philippe, Bafta Scotland, Bvlgari, Stobo Castle Health Spa, Furla, MTV Europe, Louis Vuitton, Bentley Motors UK, Mercedes-Benz, Stephen Webster and Hamilton & Inches to name but a few.

Tessa has been included in 'Scotland's Most Influential Women 2011' feature, 'Evening Times Most Influential People in Glasgow' and 'The Herald's Scotland's Top Power Players' to name but a few and her network of contacts holds no bounds. She is also currently working on her husband's animated feature film project 'Sir Billi', which has just completed post production. The high profile cast includes Sir Sean Connery, Alan Cumming, Ruby Wax, Miriam Margolyes and Oscar nominated Scottish composer Patrick Doyle.

She founded and produced the inaugural Scottish Fashion Awards in 2006, with has grown in stature and has now become the most high profile fashion and style event in Scotland attracting a host of luxury brands and international media from around the world. A regular commentator on BBC Radio Scotland, she contributes to many broadsheets and tabloids in her capacity as fashion expert in Scotland.

Tessa will Chair the judging panel for 2011 providing in-depth biographies on the nominees for the judges challenging task.