Fashion Fix Judging panel announced for Boutique Star Awards 2023

Su nday Best CEO Jan Shutt will join fashion agent Diane Sykes and small business expert Catherine Erdly to judge the Boutique Star Awards 2023 . Sass and Edge cofounders Sally Gott and Rachel Hunt, Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre and Boutique magazine editor Gemma Ward are also confirmed for this year’s panel.

R etail veteran Jan Shutt has been running a successful womenswear independent in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, for over 50 years. Inspired by Biba on Kensington High Street, she first opened Sunday Best in 1971 and has been at the helm ever since. Today she is a n industry expert while her business is highly regarded as one of the best fashion indies in the UK.

Joining her are Sass and Edge cofounders Sally Gott and Rachel Hunt, who opened their award-winning Winchester-based boutique in 2017. Armed with many years’ experience in retail, styling and management, the duo brings a wealth of expertise to this year’s panel.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre will also judge the awards. With numerous years’ experience in the small business membership sector, he has devoted his career to strengthening Britain’s high streets. Andrew has appeared before numerous parliamentary select committees to present evidence on issues affecting indie retailers and helped pave the way for the Retail Rates Discount in 2019.

D iane Sykes, founder of Diane Sykes Fashion Marketing, is this year’s fifth judge. Beginning her career at a London showroom in the 1980s, she has gained experience in many aspects of the business from buying and merchandising to wholesale sales. Today her agency supplies premium womenswear brands from across Europe.

T his year small business expert Catherine Erdly will also join the panel. Having worked for high street brands, she founded The

Resilient Retail Club in 2018 to offer expert support, education and encouragement to indies, makers and brands.

F inally, Boutique magazine editor Gemma Ward completes this year’s line-up of judges. With almost 20 years’ experience as a journalist, she has judged a wide range of industry awards throughout her career and regularly interviews some of the best fashion indies and brands in the business.

F irst launched in 2019, the Boutique Star Awards are an annual celebration of the industry’s best indie retailers and brands. E ntries will undergo a preliminary round of judging and the shortlist for each category will be announced in the coming weeks. The judging panel will meet this September to discuss the finalists and decide on the ultimate winners.

Turn to page 88 to read more about this year’s expert judges.

E nter via boutique-magazine. co.uk/submit-an-entry/