The Bridal Buyer Bridal Awards 2011
The Bridal Winners
The annual Bridal Buyer Awards, now in their 10th year, are widely acknowledged as the most important and influential awards programme in the bridal industry. Recognising excellence in retail, design, manufacturing, innovation and export, the awards attract many thousands of entries who are judged, initially, on their ability to meet a rigid set of criteria.
The judging process itself is lengthy and complex, with three independent panels investing time and experience in assessing the category finalists. Retailer awards are judged by a team of industry suppliers with an overview from trade associations and the media; supplier award winners are picked by a panel of top-notch retailers, again with input from the relevant trade associations.
This year there were no less than 17 categories in the Bridal Buyer Awards. The glittering ceremony on 14 March, at a black tie dinner at the Harrogate Exhibition Centre, saw the coming together of the stalwarts of the bridalwear industry. Some 600 guests from across the UK, Continental Europe and the US joined forces to celebrate the best – and that firmly included all the finalists involved, many of whom were separated by just one or two voting points.
In a high-powered presentation by TV fashion guru John Scott, the following winners were announced:
Best Bridalwear Retailer, sponsored by Sincerity
Winner: Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique
Best Groomswear Retailer, sponsored by Masterhand
Winner: Anthony Formalwear
Best New Retailer, sponsored by Justin Alexander
Winner: Limelight Occasions
Best Retail Website, sponsored by Xedo
Winner: Limelight Occasions
Best Customer Service Team, sponsored by Precious Formals
Winner: Abigail’s Collection
Best Bridal Designer, sponsored by Wedding magazine
Winner: Jenny Packham
Best Bridalwear Manufacturer, sponsored by the British Bridalwear Association
Winner: Justin Alexander
Best Groomswear Manufacturer/Supplier, sponsored by BRIMAS
Winner: Cameron Ross
Best Bridesmaid Collection, sponsored by Perfect Wedding magazine
Winner: JLM Europe
Best Occasionwear Collection, sponsored by WeddingChannel Couture Show
Winner: John Charles
Best Plus Size Collection, sponsored by Wedding Ideas magazine
Winner: Bonny Bridal UK
Student Designer of the Year, sponsored by Ian Stuart Bride
Winner: Kate Harrod
Best Bridal Headdress Designer, sponsored by Hollywood Dreams
Winner: Liza Designs
Best Show Collection, sponsored by EbonyRose Designs
Winner: Paradox London
Bridal Exporter of the Year, sponsored by the Harrogate Exhibition Centre
Winner: Linzi Jay
Best Bridal Innovation, sponsored by Bridal Buyer magazine
Winner: Freya Rose
* Wedding Dress of the Year, sponsored by Liza Designs
Winner: Hadley, by Maggie Sottero
