Menswear Wins Big at Industry Awards
A number of menswear brands were honoured at the Drapers Footwear & Accessories Awards last week. Mi-Pac, ASOS and Ted Baker all took home prizes at the industry event. The fashion business publication, which also runs the Drapers & Retail Week PayPal Etail Awards and Drapers Independents Awards, celebrated achievements across fifteen categories. Eight retailers, five brands, and two industry personalities were recognised for work in the sector, including River Island who picked up Best Accessories Offer in a High Street Multiple. Last year’s accessories winner Primark switched over to footwear accolades for the 2014 round, beating off competition from New Look, French Connection and John Lewis. All fourteen awards went to different brand’s, with a mix of established and emerging names. Young bag label Mi-Pac walked away with Growing Brand of the Year, while Ted Baker won big as Men’s Footwear Brand of the Year, taking the 2013 crown from Cheaney Shoes. Other winners include Schuh, Kickers and Tower London. Max Baines, commercial director of Mi-Pac told FashionBeans the award is: “a testament to the wonderful close knit team.” “We have had an amazing 20 months since launching the brand and we are all very excited about what the future will hold,” he added. This year’s new award for best export, which acknowledges success in external markets, went to H by Hudson. Despite being nominated, Lacoste, Debenhams, Gandys and Loake all missed out on selected by the panel of expert judges. The awards were presented at an official event at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.
Drapers Footwear & Accessories Awards
