Drapers crowned the winners of its Independents Retail Awards in London last night, with Young Ideas taking home the gong for Womenswear Independent of the Year.
The awards were held at the Hilton London Bankside with attendees including former British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman. Retailers and brands battled it out for a chance to win 18 different awards, with categories including Rising Star, Best New Retailer and The Covid Community Champion Award.
Drapers says the awards “recognised the fashion retailers and brands that have innovated to survive, supported their local communities, and built stronger businesses under the toughest of circumstances.”
Among the winners included Killarney indie Brian James for Menswear Independent of the Year, Islington’s The Pantry Underwear for Lingerie Independent of the Year and Willow and Wolf for Lifestyle Independent of the Year.
Scottish countrywear retailer A Hume and traditional British brand Barbour both secured two awards each.
Barbour was named both Best Womenswear Brand and Best Menswear Brand while Kelso-based A Hume won Multichannel Independent of the Year, and its managing director, Rachel Thomson, received the Rising Star award.
FULL WINNERS LIST
Best Customer Experience
Winner: Mish
Best New Retailer
Winner: Aura
Highly commended: D.A.Y.
Best Store Design
Winner: Restoration Yard
Best Use of Social Media
Winner: Sass & Edge
Kidswear Brand of the Year
Winner: A*Dee
Kidswear Independent of the Year
Winner: Rosie Cheeks
Lifestyle Independent of the Year
Winner: Willow & Wolf
Highly commended: Sandersons Department Store
Lingerie Brand of the Year
Winner: Fantasie, Wacoal Europe
Highly commended: Pure Chemistry Lingerie
Lingerie Independent of the Year
Winner: The Pantry Underwear
Menswear Brand of the Year
Winner: Barbour
Menswear Independent of the Year
Winner: Brian James
Highly commended: Suave Owl
Multichannel Independent of the Year
Winner: A Hume
Highly commended: Sandersons Department Store
Rising Star
Winner: Rachel Thomson, A Hume
The Covid Community Champion Award
Winner: Lisa Aynsley, Hotspur 1364
The Innovator Award
Winner: Dea Baker, Aqua & Rock
Womenswear Brand of the Year
Winner: Barbour
Womenswear Independent of the Year
Winner: Young Ideas
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: John McElhinney, McElhinneys Department Store