Exclusive: Fashion Fringe accessories prize nominees announced

We can exclusively reveal the candidates who will now go head to head for the award, which includes winning a six-month apprenticeship at Jimmy Choo. They are Kerrie Luft; Helen Robotham; Monisola Omboso with her label 'Pamela Pea; Heather Blake; and Anna Kichenside with her label 'Anna'.

'Bags and shoes are such a driving force in fashion I felt we should do our bit to find people who are good at it'. Colin Mc Dowell told us tonight. Which is why when British shoe designer Rupert Sanderson approached him and Fashion Fringe last year to launch the search for new shoe talent, he jumped at the chance. This year, with the help of Jimmy Choo the award has expanded to include all accessories.

'Designers need greater exposure to the production process', says Sanderson. 'To all the other bits that go in to the business, to take their collection to the next stage'. 'In London a fashion designer can get their collections made, but there are no shoe manufacturers in England', which is why an integral part of this prize is the experience of seeing shoe and accessory design transported from the sketch book to the factory floor.

Last year's winner for footwear, Liam Fahy spend weeks in Rupert Sanderson's factory in Italy seeing how shoes are made. This year's winner will gain the same experience at the Jimmy Choo factories in Italy - as well as 'working in the design studio, accounts, and PR sections of the business' explained Mellon, who recalled how 'tough it can be for any designer starting out'.

Whoever wins is set to gain the opportunity of a life time to send their label stellar. Previous winners of the Fashion Fringe awards for fashion design include, Erdem and Basso and Broke. '