Previous winner Basso & Brooke's SS09 collection
The names of the five finalists in the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Accessories Award 2009 competition have been announced, Elleuk.com reports.
Those competing for the award, which includes a six month apprenticeship at Jimmy Choo, are Kerrie Luft, Helen Robotham, Monisola Omboso with her label 'Pamela Pea, Heather Blake, and Anna Kichenside with her label 'Anna'.
The designers will be judged by fashion heavyweights including, Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon, shoe designer Rupert Sanderson and Fashion Director of The Telegraph Hilary Alexander.
Creative Director of Fashion Fringe and judge Colin McDowell told Elle why the accessories competition has been created: "Bags and shoes are such a driving force in fashion I felt we should do our bit to find people who are good at it."
Rupert added: "Designers need greater exposure to the production process. To all the other bits that go in to the business, to take their collection to the next stage. In London a fashion designer can get their collections made, but there are no shoe manufacturers in England."
The winner will follow in the footsteps of some great design talent as previous Fashion Fringe winners include Erdem and Basso and Broke
Elle editor and judge Lorraine Candy highlighted just how far winning this competition can take you: "Michelle Obama wore Basso and Brooke this week, which goes to prove how far our creative designers can go with the right mentoring and financial boosts."
The winner will be announced on Friday 22nd May.
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