Celebrity journalist and co-founder of Surrey Fashion Week, Angela Sara West, gives the lowdown on our star-studded red-carpet event at sparkling Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking last week, where our collaborative sizzling Surrey Awards x Surrey Fashion Week 2023 event rewarded ‘The Best of The Best’ of Surrey Businesses.
The stars were out in force at the inaugural Surrey Awards, awarding the very best of our amazing county’s businesses – voted for by the public – at multi-award-winning Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking.
Following the huge success of the last Rocks Mag Awards, hosted by Hollywood actor Dolph Lundgren in Marbella, the prestigious ceremony was back with a bang, this time right here in Surrey, with our county’s cutting-edge Surrey Rocks magazine introducing the first-ever Surrey Awards, hosted by Surrey’s legendary comedian Bobby Davro and actress Rachel Warren in collaboration with Surrey Fashion Week 2023.
Famous faces, including ‘Top Boy’ actor Shane Romulus, ‘Bond’ star & philanthropic ‘Big Brother’ winner Jason Burrill, along with top TV stars, influencers and footballers attended on my celebrity VIP list, all supporting the rewarding and fun event, which was in aid of a very worthy cause – Prostate Cancer UK.
Surrey’s Elite Grace the Red Carpet
The star-studded red carpet at The Surrey Awards x SFW 2023 saw the ‘Who’s Who’ of Surrey’s elite too, including ‘The Voice of Surrey Fashion’ and stylists to the stars, Surrey Frills.
Surrey-based ‘Hollyoaks’ & ‘EastEnders’ actress Gemma Bissix not only modelled the ‘Best Women’s Fashion’ winner on the night – the incredible Nettie Knows – but also picked up a coveted gong for the winning Weybridge-based female fashion brand, while also showcasing the exceptional brand, ‘Made In Chelsea’ star Amelia Mist modelled for the third time at Surrey Fashion Week’s third annual celebrity charity catwalk show!
Hot Celeb Chef Jameson Stocks Debuts New Fashion Brand at Surrey Awards x SFW23!
‘Talk-of-the-town’ multi-award-winning celebrity chef Jameson Stocks exclusively debuted a phenomenal piece from fast-rising fashion designer Emily Meel, which made its British debut on Jameson on the catwalk.
Jameson told me he is collaborating with the super-talented young Belgian designer for his own sizzling hot new fashion label – ems x Jameson – so watch this space!
What’s more, he revealed he’s also launching a restaurant in Mayfair, a cookbook and is also having a Hollywood film made about his fascinating life… Having worked with all the big names, regularly serving up culinary delights to Hollywood heavyweights in the States and Canada’s elite, jet set Jameson is now a household name himself.
What’s more, the tasteful chef knows our new King Charles’ and other royals’ food preferences like the back of his hand, and even consulted on The King’s menu for the Coronation!
And you can soon be cooking up your very own storm with a stylish signed Jameson jacket – bid for an exclusive bespoke Chef’s Jacket, designed and personally signed by the celeb chef himself, along with many more celebrity prizes and luxury experiences (see below) in our accompanying silent auction to the Awards x SFW23, also in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, at www.jumblebee.co.uk/PCUKFundraiser23
Personally signed by multi-award-winning Jameson himself, you’ll soon be cooking up your very own storm with this stylish jacket by the in-demand designer celebrity chef.
Celeb Models at Surrey Awards x SFW23
Also among our famous models showcasing a few of Surrey’s best fashion brands were Surrey-based Miss Great Britain 2023 finalist & entrepreneur Danielle Mason, our county’s resident ‘Celebs Go Dating’ coach Nadia Essex, model & influencer Italia Bond, personal stylist Angela Kyte and actor & GQ model Tayo Oyekoya.
Local press, TV & radio presenters also rubbed shoulders with the stars gracing the award-winning vineyard’s red carpet – former ‘Miss Kingston’ Jessica Monaco, award-winning influencer & co-founder of K9 Angels (rescue dog charity) Victoria Featherston Pearce, and Hollywood Disney & Marvel movie producers hot off the plane from the catwalks of the Cannes Film Festival among them.
The glitzy gala saw a sparkling Welcome Reception with fine English wine and appetising Gin shots from WATTSHOT, as red-carpet arrivals were serenaded by ‘X-Factor’ star Russell Jones, who does a mean Michael Bublé and has even duetted with the Canadian crooner! Russell later made his modelling debut in our SFW catwalk show, all topped off with spellbinding performances from Sav (AKA Head of Magic) who moved his magic moves around the amazed gathering crowd.
‘A Place in the Surrey Sun’ – New Fashion from Laura!
We also had a very special video message of support from Surrey’s ‘A Place in the Sun’ presenter Laura Hamilton, who was unable to attend the evening due to her full-on filming commitments but wanted to support our exciting event from behind the scenes. The popular presenter exclusively revealed she has expanded her horizons into the world of fashion and is launching her very own clothing brand called ‘Laura x by Verity & Me’ next month!
SFW23 Takes to The Stage
Cutting-edge 360 video fun for our fashion brands and guests was supplied by RR360 as attendees sipped on Denbies’ finest fizz and hot-off-the-press Gin, followed by a fashion extravaganza from Surrey Fashion Week after our glam guests took their seats in Denbies’ grand Conservatory Atrium.
MTV’s DJ Cream pumped out top tunes for our runway show, which took various routes through the stunning vineyard’s tables, culminating with our famous and pro models showcasing Surrey’s fashion brands in a fun, impromptu party on the stage!
Showcasing sustainable outfits from local chic boutique Anni & Arthur’s Yard in Dorking – a fab go-to for pre-loved designer and luxury pieces at affordable prices – along with outstanding outfits from other local fashion brands, our magnificent models ROCKED the runway.
From cool casual beachwear, to gorgeous glistening ballgowns, inspiring pieces were also showcased from Nettie Knows, Boutique Sale, Rosella Style and independent boutique Alamanda Fashion, featuring vibrant fashion with a contemporary and timeless design on our Ukrainian model Karolinka, shimmying her way down the runway, along with SFW stalwart Ruby LaLa who walked away with huge smiles on their faces that night, over-the-moon happy with the gong they picked up for ‘Highly Commended’ in the Womenswear category later in the evening.
Also cooly walking through the anticipant tables to the stage were our brilliant ‘Best Menswear Fashion’-winning brand Ad Clothing, and super-smart brand serving both Surrey and Kent, Howard & Co. THE go-to menswear brand for the very finest of handcrafted attire and handmade shoes, the dapper brand later clinched the ‘Highly Commended’ trophy in the male fashion category.
After our amazing models took to the stage for an impromptu dance to DJ Cream’s banging beats, they took to their seats to join us for a delectable three-course meal, washed down with wonderful wines, served up before the glittering Awards ceremony commenced.
World-Class Entertainment
Glamorous guests were treated to world-class performances from Tatler-featured luxury harpist Amie True (who also made her modelling debut) throughout the mouth-watering meal, along with powerhouse star of ‘The Voice’ Amrick Channa and sensational Surrey singer Agnes Jones, who teamed up with Archie Eccentric.
Cannes Film Fest-Winning Attendees
Attending our Awards hot off the plane from winning an award of her own at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival last week, one of my VIP guests on my top table – multi-award winning author, entrepreneur, writer & producer of books & films at London’s Monster World Studios, Donia Youssef – has kindly donated a signed box collection, comprising three hard copies of her priceless original books ‘For Sadie and The Grove’, to our charity silent auction accompanying our dazzling event.
These will be worth a small FORTUNE in the future, with the accompanying film being narrated by an A-list actress. Fast-rising star Donia is even having a Hollywood film being made about her incredible life, in which she will also be played by a Hollywood heavyweight!
The Awards
As a celebrity journalist and Surrey Fashion Week co-founder, I was proud to be on the judging panel alongside our fantastic host Bobby Davro, founder of the Surrey Awards & Editor of Surrey Rocks Sam Matthews, BBC Sports pundit and former England, Liverpool & Tottenham footballer Danny Murphy, SFW model & Director of Surrey’s La Vida Model Management Kate Tatum, and former Elle/Sky Magazine Managing Director Martin Matthews.
From fashion, food and drink, to hotels, hairdressers and golf courses, the public also voted for their favourite Surrey schools, beauty salons and spas, along with la crème de la crème of coffee shops, dessert bars and more, with seven brands shortlisted in each of the 20 Award categories, after the Awards’ judges shortlisted the final nominees.
You can view all the winners and highly-commended Surrey businesses on pages 26-35.
Show Sponsors
Sponsored by Dorking Halls, Guildford’s G Live, Esher Theatre, Bell & Colvill and Alexander James Interiors, our inaugural Surrey Awards were a resounding success.
All proceeds from tickets sale and our accompanying silent auction of celebrity experiences and amazing prizes kindly donated by famous faces at our event and local businesses and beyond will go to Prostate Cancer UK.
With one in eight men being diagnosed with the disease, including both my and Sam’s fathers, the charity raises vital funds for research into helping to save lives. My dad, thankfully, has a very positive outcome, thanks to the amazing Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton, right here in Surrey.
To find out more about the charity, visit: https://prostatecanceruk.org/
Bid for a Bargain in Aid of Prostate Cancer UK!
Our sensational Surrey Awards x SFW23 show now over, it’s time for you to get bidding for bargain prizes in our celebrity charity silent auction, which is also in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.
Celebrity experiences and signed items, plus luxury prizes a-go-go, including a performance from our superb ‘X-Factor’ star performer Russell Jones, meet-and-greet tickets with British Jazz Funk band Incognito at their Rochester Castle Concerts show this summer, plus a spa retreat in Cyprus, a million-dollar facial at Cavello in Betchworth, and so much more are all up for grabs at rock-bottom prices (see p.48-49).
Many of the fantastic nominees for the inaugural awards also donated phenomenal prizes, including tickets for the Indoor Wine Tasting Experience at our wonderful Awards host venue, Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, dinner at the Fox Restaurant at award-winning Foxhills Country Club & Resort with its Surrey Award-winning spa & golf course (worth approx. £500!), a 3-course meal with a bottle of wine at The Arkle Manor in Betchworth, plus a 3-course brunch with unlimited Prosecco, beer & cocktails at Surrey singer Peter Andre’s fave Italian restaurant, The Spaghetti Tree!
Grab an exclusive signed slice of our SFW23 model and celeb chef Jameson Stocks’ culinary clothing collection by bidding on a personally signed jacket from Jameson very own range – don’t miss out on a pizza this celebrity action.
You can also win a top table with wine for the Showtime Orchestra 10-Piece Band at Esher Theatre, a meal with Prosecco at The Station Pub in Nutfield, plus tickets to a panto at Dorking Halls this December.
Love pure 90s Cheese? Check out our tickets for Club Camembert’s brand-new series of club nights celebrating the South London club days of the late 80s-90s – early 2000s, with the cheesiest Dance Music, House, Garage, Swing & R ‘n’ B for Generation X, kicking off at Sutton United Football Club’s MBA Lounge.
For a touch of Tinseltown magic, don’t forget Donia Youssef’s invaluable signed book collection could be yours, as mentioned above, while also up for grabs are a Body Transformation Package worth over £500 from Lisa Harris Skin Science, who scooped a ‘Highly Commended’ Award in our ‘Best Beauty’ category, and an incredible intense Reiki Sound Healing Session with Surrey’s Crystal Reiki Master to The Stars, Carole Mackie.
Skin in need of a boost? Look no further than the scintillating prize on offer from unrivalled world-class Wimblederm Hair & Skin Rejuvenation Clinic in Wimbledon Village, not forgetting some fab L’Oréal pink steam pod straighteners you can clinch, courtesy of our ‘Best of the Best’ nominees The Cutting Room in Chobham, along with a top Tuft professional hairdryer kit from fantastic ‘hair stylist to the stars’ who was also nominated in our ‘Best Hair’ category, Cally Borg.
Win WATTSHOT Bottles & Handmade Glasses from our premium Awards x SFW drink sponsors, plus a top TopGolf Package for up to 6 people, including lifetime membership, too, and SO much more…
To win, visit our sizzling Surrey Awards x SFW silent auction and bid for a bargain at www.jumblebee.co.uk/PCUKFundraiser23 or simply scan this QR code
** PLS ADD QR CODE FOR SILENT AUCTION HERE **
And please keep checking back, as further fantastic prizes will be added over the coming weeks!
Feature Your Biz in the Next Issue of Surrey Rocks
If you would like to donate a prize to our silent auction, in return for promotion of your brand in the July issue of Surrey Rocks (out 1st July), please contact Angela via Instagram @angela_sara_west or email angelasarawest@gmail.com
What’s more, Surrey businesses can bid for a low-cost Double-Page Ad in a Surrey Rocks issue of your choice – worth a whopping £400 – in our silent auction!
Surrey Businesses ROCK!!
Many congrats to all our winners, those highly commended and nominated across all categories and many thanks, too, to everyone involved who helped to make this incredible charity event happen.
Watch this space for news on next year’s glitzy Awards Ceremony – GO SURREY!!
Want to share your best pics & videos from the night? Please mention and tag us on your socials! (Insta) @surreyawards @surreyfashionweekuk @angela_sara_west @surrey_rocks
Surrey + Celebs + Ukraine Rock!
Up next? We’re now planning our next big celebrity fundraiser – Ukraine Rocks! – which will be held in aid of war-torn Ukraine this September.
I’m collaborating with Surrey Rocks, Hospices of Hope (an incredible charity which is currently fundraising to build a much-needed hospice in Ukraine), our Awards attendee Victoria Featherstone Pearce, who is currently rescuing dogs from Ukraine with her co-founders and fellow K-9 Angels Pola Pospieszalska & S Club 7 & solo star Jo O’Meara, who headlined our SFW22. We will also be joined by K-9 Angels’ supporters, including Surrey broadcaster Eamonn Holmes and our ‘Bond’ star & ‘Big Brother’-winning Awards x SFW attendee, Jason Burrill.
Also on board are TalentedU, an incredible group of talented Ukrainian filmmakers and TV media who, sadly, lost their jobs due to the war.
The Talented U team filmed the fantastic official video for our Surrey Awards x SFW 2023 – which you can view on Insta @surreyawards- along with a moving documentary series featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Lineker, actress Emma Thompson, writer Jenni Murray and Surrey-based former UK No.1 tennis player Andrew Castle, who have all opened their doors to shelter refugees from Ukraine in their homes.
This heart-wrenching ‘Home for Ukraine’ documentary series about the war seen through the eyes of British celebrities showcases famous faces and the families they have sheltered through the ‘Homes For Ukraine’ scheme, telling their personal stories about the hell of war and the difficulties they faced. You can view the video trailer on the TalentedU Insta page: @talentedu_uk
© Angela Sara West 2023 Insta: @angela_sara_west
BOX OUT (IF HAVE SPACE):
About Surrey Rocks x Surrey Fashion Week
Following the success of the first celebrity charity fashion show I brought to Surrey with our county’s very own Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and a London Fashion Week designer during LFW in September 2021, I co-founded Surrey Fashion Week, with Surrey Rocks as the official media partner and organiser of SFW – Insta @surreyfashionweekuk – last year.
I’d teamed up with Sam and her ever-expanding Rocks Mag brand, and fellow Surreyite Kim and her pro model husband Max Rogers to promote the inaugural celebrity charity fashion event in our county, held in aid of late fashion designer Vivienne Westwoood’s ‘Cool Earth’ charity at the fairytale De Vere Horsley Estate, whose famous towers have featured in ‘The Crown’.
2022’s glam inclusive event at Egham’s Great Fosters, meanwhile, saw another unique star-studded celebrity charity catwalk show take place last September, this time in aid of Mind mental health charity and the struggling Surrey fashion boutiques showcasing, along with pop-ups from Surrey brands offering a premium shopping experience in the stunning Surrey venue’s Orangery.
SFW22 also saw the official launch party for BRIT Award-winning S Club 7 star & solo artist Jo O’Meara’s new cover version of Michael Jackson’s hit track ‘Thriller’, which she released the very same day, and was hosted by the brilliant Surrey-based Sky Sports and BBC football presenter/commentator Bryn Lucas.
Kicked off in true Strictly style by official BBC ‘Strictly’ choreographers, and sponsored by Hampton Court Gin, the inclusive and diverse celebrity catwalk concept show saw dazzling dance numbers especially choreographed for SFW, plus phenomenal performances from S Club’s Jo, Surrey singer/songwriter Cassa Jackson (who has supported JLS and Blue), along with fast-rising star Eleni C (who has performed alongside Surrey singer Peter Andre) and Surrey’s coolest jazz singer, Mikey D.
Glamorous guests included ‘Strictly’ stars Oti Mabuse (now a judge on ‘Dancing On Ice’ and ‘The Masked Dancer’) and her pro dancer husband Marius Iepure, who also modelled at SFW and spoke about how he has recently successfully campaigned to make Dance an Olympic sport.
