Models Direct has just heard that Fashion retailer H&M has named a shortlist of eight designers from across Europe for its second H&M Design Award 2013. Finalists include ones from London, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Holland. Hennes & Mauritz AB has announced the names of the eight finalists of its H&M Design Award 2013. The Swedish high-street retailer opened the contest to students at 19 design schools in Europe, who are competing for a chance to win a prize of 50,000 euros and the possibility to show their collection at Mercedes-Benz Stockholm Fashion Week on 29 January where the winner will be announced – the team here at Models Direct can’t wait to see who wins!

The person selected will also develop items from his or her collection to be sold at selected H&M stores next fall. The jury is led by H&M’s head of design Ann-Sofie Johansson, and includes industry figures such as fashion designer Jonathan Saunders, editor-at-large of style.com Tim Blanks, photographer Sølve Sundsbø, stylist Leith Clark, blogger and photographer Hanneli Mustaparta, fashion journalist Kristopher Arden Houser, and H&M’s Creative Advisor Margareta van den Bosch. This year’s awards will also feature a People’s Prize, where the public can vote for their favourite finalist via the awards website, the winning designer will win the opportunity to intern in Jonathan Saunders’ studio in London.