Shoe-designer Nicholas Kirkwood has been awarded with this year’s British Fashion Council/British Vogue Designer Fashion Fund of £ 200,000. The prize will help him to achieve his business goals for the next 18 months with the mentoring of the country’s leading industry figureheads. Nicholas is the first accessory designer to win the award. Other nominees were fashion designers Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou and Roskanda Ilinic. Nicholas Kirkwood is known for his extravagant unconventional shoe-design and numerous collaborations with designers like Erdem, Peter Pilotto and Rodarte. Nicholas studied at Central Saint Martins in London and Cordwainers before launching his label in 2005 – his designs have garnered a wide fan base with stars like Beyoncé Knowles and Rihanna to Miranda Kerr and Sarah Jessica Parker. His work his sold internationally.