Liverpool Best of Show winners announced

Julie Colligan, project manager for Design Initiative, the organisation behind the show, explains that the idea of the awards was to create a benchmark in standards of quality, recognition of key trends and craftsmanship.

‘It means that in each particular category designers have been recommended as Best of Show, which is good for their profile at the show,’ adds Colligan.

Eight winners were chosen from the 150-plus exhibitors, across categories of furniture, glass, homewares, lighting, fashion, accessories, jewellery and eco-design.

Colligan explains that two judges – a sponsor and an independent judge – were assigned to each category, forming a panel that included Design Initiative chairman Geoss Allman, Littlewoods director of product Rebecca Elderfield, The Bluecoat Gallery’s Maureen Bampton and designer Wayne Hemmingway.

The homewares section in particular, says Colligan, demonstrated innovative techniques, while designers across all categories were mindful of environmental issues.

Bannerbags, which has reused advertising banners for the European Capital of Culture event to make bags, is now looking at taking the idea to the London Olympics, says Colligan.

Design Show Liverpool, a selling exhibition of ceramics, glass, lighting and fashion, is the brainchild of Della Tinsley and Gideon Cleary, who have worked with regional promotional organisation Design Initiative.

Winners:

• Accessories: Bannerbags
  
• Eco-Design: Paperworks by Hannah Lo
  
• Fashion: Paul Robinson
  
• Furniture: Lazarian
  
• Glass: Notorianni Glass
  
• Homewares: Rebecca Gouldson
  
• Jewellery: John Moore
  
• Lighting: Jo Vincent