Today the iconic British Fashion Awards is taking place to recognise the most influential people in the industry and celebrate the best in British fashion.

The annual event commends the reputation and development of British fashion and it awards the ultimate accolade “Designer of the Year” to the leading British based designer who has directly shaped fashion in the past year. The hotly contested award for 2011 is between Sarah Burton for McQueen, Christopher Kane and Erdem.

There are various categories to which people are nominated for but Sir Paul Smith has already been announced the winner of BFC Outstanding Achievement.

Harold Tillman CBE, Chairman of the British Fashion Council, said: “This year’s nominees demonstrate the breadth and creativity London has to offer. The fashion brands and designers that are based here set the trends across the globe.”

The Awards, which is sponsored by HSBC, MAC, Toni & Guy and Vodafone, was celebrated for the first-time this year with a ‘Born to Walk Tall’; a fashion mile walk to honour the critical work performed by doctors, nurses and midwives worldwide. It was led by Save the Children and British Fashion Council ambassador Samantha Cameron and took place from Downing Street to Somerset House to raise awareness of the vital role health-workers play in making sure that children survive to take their first steps.

The nominations were made by key UK and international opinion formers within the fashion industry and the lucky winners were chosen by panels of leading British and international media and buyers.

The categories include;

-          Designer Brand

-          Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator,

-          Emerging Talent Awards (accessories, ready to wear, menswear)

-          Red Carpet Award

-          British Style Award

-          Model

-          Accessory Designer

-          Menswear Designer

-          Designer of the Year

Join in the festivities with Ulster Weavers British-themed ranges! We have lots of textiles and homeware products that are themed with the UK including linen tea towels and canvas bags. So show your patriotism to Her Majesty The Queen and your country with our vast array of kitchen essentials.

Watch the awards and drink a piping hot cup of tea from one of our British-themed bone china mugs and take the tea out of the oven with our Union Jack oven gloves whilst wearing themed PVC aprons.

British Cats Reversible Cotton Bag

British Cats PVC Apron

Union Jack Double Oven Glove