IT is being dubbed a Scottish invasion of London.
Some of the best designers in the country, from Glasgow-based Saunt and Sinner to well established fashion favourites like Christopher Kane, will be honoured at the eighth Scottish Fashion Awards.
This year founder Tessa Hartmann made the controversial decision to hold the event outside of Scotland for the first time, after they were previously hosted in Glasgow and Stirling Castle.
But Tessa is standing by the move to hold the country's fashion "Oscars" across the border after she claimed there was not enough support in Scotland.
She said: "We believe London is a wonderful place to showcase the immense talent we produce from Scotland as it's not local awareness these nominees need, it's global awareness.
"There's no better place to do that than the epicentre of British fashion.
"The emerging talents and young designers highlighted in these awards are the future revenue earners in this industry sector - fashion - which is the 4th biggest employer in the UK and which contributes £21 billion to the UK economy."
Among the judges at tonight's event is top model Stella Tennant, while Victoria Beckham is one of the big names shortlisted for international designer of the year prize because of her use of Scottish textiles in her acclaimed collections.
The event, hosted by high profile TV presenter Laura Whitmore, will honour designers, retailers, models and manufacturers based in Scotland.
Irish TV presenter and red carpet regular Laura Whitmore is hosting the awards.
The 28-year-old, who is jetting off to present I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here at the end of the week, said she was a massive fan of Scottish fashion.
She said: "Even though designers like Chris Kane, Jonathan Saunders and Holly Fulton are Scottish, they are mentioned on a global scale.
"There are also some up and coming designers like Jennifer Morris and Obscure Couture who are also impressive.
"Fashion has this year been heavily influenced by Scottish textiles, like in collections by Chanel, Victoria Beckham, Lou Dalton and Moschino so it's bigger than ever.
"Scotland is taking over the globe."
The presenter will be preparing for the awards by picking a red carpet dress...but she's no idea of what she'll go for yet.
She said: "I have too much choice. I've not thought about it yet, it will be a last minute thing."
Laura described her own style as "classic but quirky".
She added: "Scottish style is more care free and a bit quirky. I think the Scots have a lot in common with the Irish, we both have Celtic roots, and we have a similar take on style."
Laura said she was a fan of mixing high end and high street, from Moschino to Topshop to Scots designer Rebecca Torres.
She said: "I love ASOS because there are so many different designers on. I'm a fan of Rebecca Torres' colourful collections."
The presenter said she was excited to host the awards in the city she lives in.
She said: "London is up there as being one of the most important fashion cities of the world so it's great that the Scottish Fashion Awards are being hosted here.
"I'm so glad I've not been part of the judging process - I just have to read out the winners - because I just don't know how I'd pick."
Tessa and her team have spent a year preparing for the awards, which are being held at Dover House, the home of the Scottish Office and Scotland's civil servants - and a filming location for movies, including the James Bond film Skyfall.
Tessa said: "With having it in London we have secured an incredible fashion media guest list, so it's an unrivalled opportunity to showcase our finest talents and really highlight the immense talent we have in Scotland.
"We have Fashion One TV who will be showing the highlights of the night to 135 countries and magazine editors from Italian Vogue, Paris and UK fashion bibles all attending.
"It will literally be a Scottish fashion invasion of London for one night only."
Among the nominees battling out for the coveted Designer of the Year are London Fashion Week regulars Christopher Kane, from Newarthill near Motherwell, Glasgow School of Art graduates Louise Gray and Jonathan Saunders, plus Edinburgh-born Holly Fulton.
There are also promising names in the Young Designer of the Year category, including Glasgow-based Rebecca Torres, who specialises in colour block body-con dresses, Obscure Couture and Saunt and Sinner, who have all been profiled in the Evening Times.
Retailers up for a prize include The Pokey Hat, which was launched in 2011 by Jennifer Welford, from Paisley, while two of the accessory designers battling it out are Georgia Wiseman and Jane Gowans.
Tessa said institutions, such as Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), was a signal that Scottish talent would flourish.
The university has become the award's Official Education Partner this year.
Tessa said: "The Scots are doing incredible things in the fashion world right now, with GCU launching the British School of Fashion in London's trendy Spitalfields.
"Working with the top retailers in the land is an incredible feat for a Scottish university and they have just opened a campus in New York."
The awards presentation will be attended by judges, nominees and fashion stars, including Pam Hogg, David Gandy, Tallia Storm, Jenni Falconer, Mary Charteris and Brix Smith Start.
There will then be a winners gala - a Scottish banquet at 8 Northumberland, where 300 guests will listen to Scottish DJ Nikki Beatnik and her brother Statis, before heading to nightclub Whisky Mist.
The awards come as Scotland continues to be a major attraction and inspiration for international names.
Tessa, who is wearing a vintage dress with accessories by the nominees tonight, said: "Never has there been such a thirst for all things fashionable and Scottish.
"Our international category this year is filled with global luxury houses who have utilised our finest textiles and yarns from Victoria Beckham, to Lou Dalton and Chanel.
"Our aim is simply to shout about our fashion design, textile and creative achievements loud enough so that the worlds hears us - and I think they are."
TOP girlband Stooshe are performing at a free show in a Glasgow department store.
The Waterfalls singers are taking part in a MOBO Awards inspired evening tomorrow(THUR)hosted by MOBO TV presenters Mandem on the Wall.
Stooshe, who won the Best Newcomer award at the MOBOs last year, will provide entertainment at the event which also features DJ Paul N'Jie.
There is a chance to win tickets to the awards ceremony on October 19.
The event takes place tomorrow (THUR)from 4-7pm.
Fashion
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