AND WE’RE OFF…

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Yesterday the polling booths opened in what has been called the biggest independent footwear award in the world - Imelda’s Designer of the Year ’09.

When asked to comment on what it means to be Imelda’s Designer of the Year, Camilla Skovgaard (D.O.Y ’08) said “It's supertastic exposure to have graced Imelda's site for a whole year, bearing in mind the number of visitors - where else do you get such an opportunity for so long?”

Of course the exposure Skovgaard is referring to is the badge that is proudly displayed in top left hand column of Imelda’s front page for the year.

Unlike other competitions where designers are showered in Euros, Imelda unfortunately doesn’t make ~~a lot~~ any money off her blog (and she isn’t about to pony up her offshore funds) so the ‘badge’ and the subsequent exposure, including a direct link to the winning designer(s) webpage is my humble reward.

Whilst open to all and sundry, the award seems to be geared more towards, and beneficial for, independent and emerging designers, with Skovgaard remarking “just looking at that old photo you had up of me there reminds me a lot has happened since then (winning the D.O.Y award)”

This year the nomination process was heavily influenced by social media with US based Omelle and Brisbane based Australian duo tom gunn rallying their troops, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any surprises or close calls – some Imeldettes may recall last year’s dark horse, Danish brand Toklum, who after one profile (on Imelda) bitch slapped Nicholas Kirkwood into third place.

You’ll note that voting, rather than on a separate page, is being conducted in the top right hand column of Imelda’s front page – for convenience. We conducted an exhaustive search for polling software that could offer more than 10 nominations but such software isn’t available so like last year the voting is split across two polls, with the winner being determined on the basis of total votes.

From all of those enslaved in the Despotic Queen’s servitude, we wish each designer(s) the best of luck and as she prepares to pass on her crown, Camilla Skovgaard offers the incoming D.O.Y some final thoughts “I hope the new winner will enjoy a good year ahead too.”