Young, Creative Entrepreneurs

It’s not easy being a young business owner, even under the best circumstances. Making contacts and trying to establish yourself in an industry built on seniority and nepotism is no modest task, but in these dire times the Young Creative Entrepreneur Award seeks to help emerging, business-minded professionals.

Now in its second year, the award was created to celebrate the achievements of the most ambitious and imaginative 25 to 35-year-old entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. The nine nominees for 2009 come from all over the world, and are touring the UK, making key contacts with powerful fashion businesses in London, including Paul Smith. The six finalists include Kate Tailyour, Annegret Affolderbach of Choolips, Maria Elena Corchero-Martin of Lost Values, Simeon Hartwig of Bantum, Sissy Rooney of Street Style Surgery and Kerry Nixon of Vidler & Nixon.

In addition to the International finalists, 2009 marks the first year of the UK Young Entrepreneurs award, which gave six UK finalists a chance to tour India’s fashion industry in December 2008, establishing important connections with the burgeoning scene. “This award couldn’t come at a better time,” says Michael Salac, the director of Blow, the UK company sponsoring the award. “It’s great to be able to open opportunities for these new startups.”

Both awards culminate in a ceremony during London Fashion Week at the Chambord Bar, hosted by the British Council. One international and one UK winner will be chosen from the finalists and announced at the ceremony. This is a tremendous opportunity for the deserving finalists as well as a preview for industry insiders of the emerging talents to watch.

—Michael Miller