GLASGOW, Scotland, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scottish Fashion Awards organisers have announced that the definitive on line fashion destination Vogue.com have joined the prestigious event as headline sponsor for the second year running along with a host of high profile judges including supermodel Kirsty Hume and impressive partners for the fourth annual fashion and style extravaganza to be held at Stirling Castle on June 21st June.

Now a firm fixture in the international fashion carousel, Caledonistas * will join top fashion presenter Louise Roe at the glittering awards ceremony held in one of Scotland's greatest landmarks.

Towering over some of the most important battlefields in Scotland's history in the heart of Braveheart Country, the castle venue and event is now established around the world and is 'thee' award Scottish fashion players want to win, winners highlighting it as Scotland's definitive and credible accolade.

Despite the recession's impact on fashion and retail the event has attracted an impressive list of new and existing sponsors for 2009 including Swarovski, BAA Glasgow, Fake Bake, Mac Cosmetics, Toni & Guy Haircare, Hotel Du Vin, Marks & Spencer, Milne Management, Stirling Council, The Herald, TNT Fashion and Homecoming Scotland 2009 to name but a few.

With their 'Call for Entries' launched this week, these awards will honour the very best of Scottish fashion from designers, fashion photographers, models, stylists, make-up artists, fashion writers, fashion marketers and present a phenomenal opportunity for home grown talent to showcase their work.

Judged by a virtual who's who of leading fashion experts from around the world, who previously have included Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue and The Honorable Daphne Guinness the event continues to attract fashion players whose creative talents shape trends and influence global catwalks. The 2009 panel includes:

    
    DOLLY JONES                EDITOR VOGUE.COM
    KIRSTY HUME                MODEL
    KATE PHELAN                FASHION DIRCTOR OF BRITISH VOGUE
    NATHALIE COLIN             CREATIVE DIRECTOR, SWAROVSKI
    HILARY ALEXANDER           FASHION DIRECTOR - THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
    BRIGITTE STEPPUTTIS        HEAD OF COUTURE VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
    BRAIN RENNIE               CREATIVE DIRECTOR GANT
    SUSANNE KÖLMEL             FASHION EDITOR AT LARGE, GERMAN VOGUE
    BRIANA LESESNE             FASHION & BEAUTY DIRECTOR, VANITY FAIR, NYC
    JANETTE HARKESS            DEPUTY EDITOR OF THE HERALD
    TESSA HARTMANN             FOUNDER SCOTTISH FASHION AWARDS AND CHAIR OF
                               JUDGING PANEL

Behind the glamour and excitement of the night, the awards will highlight some world-class talent in 'Catwalk Caledonia', which launched in 2008. A series of exclusive fashion interludes will present the evening's nominees. New for 2009 will be the exciting 'Scottish Graduate of the Year' category, promising to offer an incredible platform to Scotland's new generation of 'Caledonistas'*. The short list will be announced at the end of May from the following categories:

    
     1) SCOTTISH DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (VOGUE.COM)
     2) SCOTTISH TEXTILE BRAND OF THE YEAR (THE HERALD)
     3) SCOTTISH FASHION AWARDS COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR (BAA GLASGOW)
     4) SCOTTISH YOUNG DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (SCOTTISH FASHION COUNCIL)
     5) SCOTTISH GRADUATE OF THE YEAR (HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009)
     6) SCOTTISH RETAILER OF THE YEAR - INCLUDES ONLINE RETAILING.
       (STIRLING COUNCIL)
     7) SCOTTISH MODEL OF THE YEAR (FAKE BAKE)
     8) SCOTTISH ACCESSORY/JEWELLERY DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (SWAROVSKI)
     9) SCOTTISH FASHION ICON AWARD (MARKS & SPENCER)
    10) SCOTTISH FASHION AWARD 'HALL OF FAME' (HOTEL DU VIN)
    11) BEST USE OF SCOTTISH FABRIC BY AN INTERNATIONAL DESIGNER

An exclusive gala dinner will follow for VIP's.

Dolly Jones Editor of Vogue.com said: "We're really pleased to be working with the Scottish Fashion Awards for the second year running. Last year's event was an enormous success -both at Stirling Castle and on VOGUE.COM afterwards, with Vogue's Calgary Avansino presenting our film of the night on VogueTV and all the news about the winners up on the site within hours of the event. Scotland really is on a fashion roll."

Tessa Hartmann event Founder and Chair added: "Over the last 4 years we have championed individuality, quality and style from Scotland, providing an enviable platform for Scottish fashion talent. Through hard work and determination we have built an acknowledged brand which isn't just about celebrating Scottish fashion; it's about celebrating a fashionable Scotland. This year is set to be our best yet!".

Ultimately, the evening will represent a definitive guide to Scottish fashion, present and future, taking a fresh look at the wonderful Celtic contributions that have touched so many parts of the fashion world. From our innovative designers to our world renowned cashmere and textiles manufacturers, all eyes will surely be on the tartan red carpet at Stirling Castle on 21st June 2009 where Caledonistas will be out in force.

* Caledonista - noun informal 1) a Scottish designer of haute couture. 2) a devoted follower of Scottish fashion.

Notes to Editors:

Pictures accompanying this release are available through the PA Photowire. They can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

http://www.scottishfashionawards.com