WINNING WAYS Everything you need to know about entering – and winning – this year’s Boutique Star Awards

Down to Business

INSIGHT FOR FASHION INDIES

BOUTIQUE STAR AWARDS 2019

Celebrating indies

The Boutique Star Awards are back for 2022. We delve into why you should enter your business (and reveal some top tips on standing out if you decide it’s the year for you)…

10 reasons to enter the Boutique Star Awards

FROM SETTING YOUR BUSINESS APART TO BOOSTING TEAM MORALE, HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD ENTER THE INDUSTRY’S MOST EXCITING COMPETITION

It’s been a turbulent couple of years for the industry. But while the pandemic has been a testing time for many, it has also allowed brands and retailers to reinvent their businesses and come out the other side stronger than ever.

Today’s fashion businesses need to stand out from the competition. And one way of setting your business apart is being shortlisted – and possibly winning – a prestigious industry award.

Launched in 2019, the Boutique Star Awards is back this year after a two-year hiatus. It’s the industry’s most exciting competition - created by the only trade publication in the UK dedicated to independent fashion and lifestyle retailers.

Entering will give you the chance to be recognised at national level as an industry leader. Those making the shortlist will see their business profile raised among peers and suppliers. Meanwhile, winners will receive a gold star trophy alongside a winner’s email signature logo and website banner in honour of their excellence.

This year there are 16 categories for boutiques and suppliers to enter from Womenswear Independent of the Year and Independent Group of the Year to British Brand of the Year and Occasionwear Brand of the Year.

Here are 10 reasons to submit an entry for a chance to win a trophy…

1. Set yourself apart

Winning an award is always good for business. And winning a Boutique Star Award means suppliers, customers and your team will know you’re officially the best in the industry (if you didn’t know that already). Plus, it will add extra kudos to your brand, service and product offering among potential customers too.

2. Free marketing

There isn’t a lot that comes for free these days. However, being able to call yourself an award-winning boutique or brand is probably the best marketing tool that money can’t

BOUTIQUE STAR AWARDS 2022

RETAILERS Womenswear Independent of the Year Independent Group of the Year Creative VM Independent of the Year Social Media Channel of the Year NEW: New Independent of the Year NEW: Sustainable Independent of the Year

SUPPLIERS British Brand of the Year International Brand of the Year Fashion Agency of the Year Fashion Distributor of the Year NEW: Black-Owned Brand of the Year NEW: Accessories/ Footwear Brand of the Year NEW: Sustainable Brand of the Year

SPECIAL AWARDS Newcomer Lifetime Achievement

buy. Those that make the shortlist receive free logos and marketing content to use on websites, adverts and social media channels while the winner of every category also receives a beautiful glass trophy for their cabinet.

3. Increased credibility

You’re undoubtedly very well-known and respected in your local area. But gaining a place on the shortlist will also put your boutique on the map among industry insiders and suppliers. So, if you want to bag an exclusive brand, entering a national competition is a great way to boost your credibility.

4. Boost sales and loyalty

The prestige and free marketing that comes with being shortlisted for an award can attract new customers and build loyalty. Not only will it help raise brand awareness but being selected for the shortlist – or ultimately winning – will cement your position as a truly outstanding business.

5. Only indies can enter

The Boutique Star Awards are only open to independent businesses – meaning you won’t be competing with huge corporations with colossal budgets to get shortlisted or win a trophy.

6. It’s free

You don’t have to pay to enter the Boutique Star Awards. Retailers and suppliers can enter as many categories as they are eligible for and won’t have to pay a penny (although if you are shortlisted, you may want to attend the ticketed winners’ party – more on that later). 7. The awards are credible

All entries are scrutinised by an independent judging panel made up of industry insiders who are passionate about indies and want to reward the most deserving businesses. Entries will be judged fairly and impartially, meaning any retailer and brand has a chance of winning an award.

8. Entering is good for team morale

Industry awards are a great way to recognise and celebrate the fantastic work of your team. Submitting an entry will show your employees how much you truly value and respect their hard work. And if you’re selected for the shortlist, the excitement (and prospect of accepting the trophy at the winners’ party) can provide a real morale boost. It’s also a great way to stand out as a leading employer when attracting fresh talent for your team.

9. We all need an excuse to celebrate

This year’s Boutique Star Awards winners’ party will take place on Tuesday 8 November at the May Fair Hotel in London. Everyone is invited and we can guarantee fizz, delicious food, good company and an after-ceremony dance party (more details to follow soon).

10. Networking opportunities

Of course, the winners’ party is much more than a good old knees-up – it’s also a great place to find inspiration and network with other like-minded business owners. So, what are you waiting for?

Winning moves

IF YOU WANT TO WIN A BOUTIQUE STAR AWARD, YOU’LL NEED TO CREATE AN OUTSTANDING ENTRY. HERE ARE OUR TOP TIPS FOR SETTING YOUR BUSINESS APART…

Carefully read the criteria

Before planning your entry, visit the categories section on our website to read the entry criteria. This will not only help you decide which awards your business is eligible to enter, but it will also give you key points to highlight when writing your entry.

Don’t do it all at once

Putting a winning awards entry together is going to take time and consideration, so don’t expect to be able to do it all in one go. You can copy and paste the questions from our website into a Word document so you can fill in your answers over an extended period of time. That way, if your broadband goes down, you know you have a back-up too.

Sell yourself and shine

Your written awards entry is a chance to really sell your business – so don’t hold back. Include every detail you can think of that makes your store or brand stand out from the crowd and proves you’re a worthy winner. While we often don’t like to ‘blow our own trumpet’ in real life, this is your chance to shine…so really go for it! Show your personality

An entry that’s upbeat and interesting to read is sure to catch the judges’ attention. So, when outlining your business’s strengths and achievements, try to put your personality across too. The judges are looking for outstanding businesses, but anything that makes them smile (or cry) is bound to be memorable.

Back up your claims

Don’t just say you go the extra mile for your customers, explain how. Likewise, you can include graphs and data to prove your business is commercially successful. The images you submit are also an important part of your entry as they give the judges a visual guide to your boutique and website. Your store images don’t have to be professional photographs – Instagram shots are perfectly acceptable – but ensure they show off your business at its best.

Ask for help

Your biggest fans are your loyal customers – and they’ll no doubt have lots of reasons why they choose to shop with you. Asking for feedback, whether it’s simply in-person or with a detailed questionnaire, could unveil some positive points that you may not have considered for your entry. Likewise, your staff are likely to be invaluable in putting your entry together, so involve them in the process too.

Enter more than one award

There’s no limit on how many categories each boutique or brand can enter, so check to see which awards you’re eligible for and enter them all. That way you’ll have even more chances of winning or scooping several categories across the board.

Check and recheck your entry

It may sound pretty basic, but you should put as much effort into proofreading your entry as you would a job application or CV. The odd typo is forgivable but sending an entry that’s littered with mistakes will make the text difficult to read and the judges may question your professionalism and commitment. So if you know you struggle in this area, it’s definitely worth asking someone to read your entry before you hit the submit button.

Don’t leave it until the last minute

Most of us work better under pressure but giving yourself plenty of time to put your entry together will make the process less stressful and probably yield the best results. The deadline for this year’s entries is Friday 1 July, but our best advice is to start working on it as soon as you can.

Enter now at boutique-magazine. co.uk/submit-an-entry

Good foundations

ENSURE CUSTOMERS LOOK THEIR BEST THIS SUMMER WITH MIRACLESUIT’S BODY-ENHANCING SHAPEWEAR

Helping women look and feel their best is something independent fashion retailers achieve every day. But as well as stocking the season’s most flattering dresses and separates, the right foundation garments can literally transform the way a woman feels in her clothes. Miraclesuit is known around the world for its shape-enhancing underwear garments – and it’s easy to see why. With a strap line that promises to help the wearer “look 10lbs lighter in 10 seconds,” its high-tech body-shapers are designed to lift and smooth in all the right places without being uncomfortable to wear. The brand’s best-selling open bust bodybriefer (pictured) enlists a combination of crisscross seaming across the upper and lower abdomen, front double panels and extra-firm control fabrication to offer an “instant tummy tuck.” Perfect for wearing under special occasion outfits, it shapes the back, tummy, waist and hips to create a seamless foundation for dresses all year round.

CONTACT:Tel: 01423 885 374 E: info@patricia-eve.co.uk patricia-eve.co.uk

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Autumn blooms

BRING BRITISH BOTANICALS TO YOUR BOUTIQUE WITH FROM MY MOTHER’S GARDEN

British boutique brand From My Mother’s Garden produces beautiful womenswear and accessories in sustainable fabrics and exclusive prints. The label is the brainchild of Penny Callaghan, owner of Colmers Hill Fashion in Dorset. Based on photographs of blooms and botanicals taken in her mother’s garden, the collection includes a range of colourful pieces including silky viscose and velvet kimonos and robes, womenswear separates, scarves, make-up bags and raincoats. For AW22, the range features deep and rich floral prints in opulent jewelled tones alongside a natureinspired camo print. Standout pieces include camo print cotton trousers in a denim blue colourway, a Dahlia and Peony canvas cross body bag as well as a jewelled hydrangea tulle skirt in rich shades of plum, aubergine, blue and purple. Buyers can select short order and forward order pieces throughout the year. Wholesale prices are £9 - £50 per piece while the minimum order requirement is £300.

CONTACT:Tel: 07825 148 040 frommymothersgarden.co.uk