SCOTTISH FASHION AWARDS

THERE’S A WEE FIXTURE BEEN ADDED TO THE INTERNATIONAL FASHION CAROUSEL WHERE THE DARLINGS OF THE CATWALK HEAD FOR THE HIGHLANDS

It’s time to move the shortbread, pass on the whisky, there’s a new buzz in the highlands and it’s not the haggis! For on Sunday 29th June 2008, international fashion figures, designers, celebrities and dignitaries will gather at Scotland’s most sought after fashion ticket. The tartan red carpet will greet guests from New York, London, Los Angeles, Paris and Milan as they gather at Stirling Castle, Scotland’s ancient capital, seat of former Kings and parliament, which for one night will toast the Kings and indeed Queens of Scottish fashion.

Towering over the surrounding countryside in the heart of Braveheart Country, the castle offers an array of riches. The vast Great Hall, which will hold the awards ceremony and gala dinner, dates from the end of the Middle Ages. The early Renaissance splendours of the Royal Palace with its carved heads, holds the green rooms for VIPs. The Chapel Royal, built for the baptism of Prince Henry in 1594 will awaken in the 21st Century to the amplified sounds of an exclusive after show party.

We will celebrate our leading fashion talents who have excelled themselves in the last twelve months in this magnificent setting, where couture gowns and elegant heels will navigate the sometimes complicated cobbled stoned paths. Leading figures in style, renowned Fashion Directors and international fashion authorities will have the challenging task of judging this year’s contenders. An exclusive audience made up of leading Scottish figures, industrialists and an array of fashion talent will gather and applaud each other, gazing with an envious eye and pondering who will walk away with evening’s most coveted award, Scottish Fashion Awards Designer of the Year 2008.

2008 welcomes Vogue.com as an official sponsor of this glittering event, joined by Scotland’s most prominent broadsheet The Herald. Media from around the world will brave the dramatic highland mist and join what is now officially, Scotland’s most glamorous night of the year. Scotland’s leading luxury Jewellery designer Eric N Smith will provide an array of diamonds and jewels for special guests as they are chauffeured from the luxurious properties within the Hotel Du Vin Group, One Devonshire Gardens and Malmaison. An array of make up and hair stylists will be on hand at the style suits preparing nominees, presenters and of course glamorous hostess and fashion authority Louise Roe.

As we take in the magnitude of Scottish talent from the worlds of textile and cashmere design to accessories and jewellery, from the innovative new generation of designers to the stars of the catwalks around the world, we must appreciate that these are the individuals who will shape the future. The future of ‘Fashion Scotland’, dispelling the myths that tartan and kilts reign sovereign and proving that the ‘Cool Caledonia’ nuance that was aired three years ago from these very ancient walls, is now a force to be reckoned with. Our relative remoteness from Britain’s fashion capital is irrelevant and should not and will not prevent us from moving forward. As a nation we will capitalize on our fashion achievements and continuously promote our dynamic strengths. This is what The Scottish Fashion Awards is all about! Are you watching?