The cream of Scottish design talent, a host of well-known high street-names and some of the most beautiful faces in the country - just a few of the people nominated for a Scottish Fashion Award this year.

The Herald, which is media partner with the event, can exclusively reveal the nominations for the 2008 Scottish Fashion Awards, due to take place on Sunday, June 29, at a lavish ceremony in Stirling Castle.

With attendees likely to include the model, artist and fashion designer Daphne Guinness, who is on the judging panel, as well as nominees including Christopher Kane, Graeme Black and trendy British fashion label House of Holland, it is set to be one of the biggest nights in Scottish fashion.

Tessa Hartmann, chairwoman and founder of the event, said: "This list represents the most definitive guide to Scottish fashion right now.

"Their individuality, innovation and style have been recognised on the catwalks around the world and indeed in the commercial market place.

"We are delighted to provide the foremost Scottish fashion platform for this wealth of creativity and design on this our third year. We applaud the nominees' contribution to the world of fashion, their Scottishness', and will salute their success at Stirling Castle.

"This event isn't just about celebrating Scottish fashion, it's about celebrating a fashionable Scotland and we are confident that between all our amazing nominees, sponsors, partners, international judges and VIP guests, The Scottish Fashion Awards at Stirling Castle will reflect just that."

Categories include Scottish designer of the year, young designer of the year and best use of tartan by an international designer, as well as retailer of the year and model of the year.

Last year's designer of the year winner, Christopher Kane, has been nominated in the same category once again, while Scottish fashion emporium Cruise is nomin-ated for retailer of the year.

The recipient of the prestigious Hall of Fame Award will be announced at the event.

The Herald is sponsoring the Style Icon 2008 award, which will be voted for by you, the reader.

Nominees include artist Jim Lambie as well as singer KT Tunstall.

Details of how to nominate your favourite icon will be published in The Herald Magazine on Saturday.

Janette Harkess, who is deputy editor of The Herald and a member of the judging panel, said: "As the high standard of the short-listed nominees suggest, Scotland is still one of the leading contributors to the global fashion industry. It is fantastic that we can honour them and celebrate their international success here, at home in Scotland." The event will involve a gala VIP event in the Great Hall of Stirling Castle.

The audience, who are to be treated to a champagne reception, will include guests from around Scotland as well as fashion capitals New York, Milan and Paris.

This year the ceremony will be hosted by GMTV fashion presenter Louise Roe, who was previously the face of Vogue TV.

She said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be presenting the Awards this summer.

"Scottish fashion is really turning heads and making its mark on the industry at an international level, more than ever right now.

"The incredible talents of Chris Kane and Jonathan Saunders are being hotly followed by some amazing up-and-comers - the likes of Graeme Armour, Scott Ramsay Kyle and Louise Gray, who clearly have a big future ahead of them.

"Scotland's heritage within the fashion industry has made a huge impact, too, and it's great to see the history entrenched within cashmere house, such as Pringle and Ballantyne's, being celebrated.

"I can't wait to see the castle and its beautiful grounds. Apparently the after-party runs well into the next morning too, in true Scottish knees-up style."

Throughout the night, all the guests will be treated to a number of catwalk shows, which will be celebrating the work of nominated designers and fashion labels. In addition, there will be a fashion charity auction in aid of the Prince's Trust, and a VIP after party.

Linda Fabiani, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, said: "Scotland has a wealth of innovative designers and The Scottish Fashion Awards is a great showcase for our country's fashion and design industry.

"We are delighted to be given this opportunity to help support Scottish fashion at this fantastic event."

The panel of 10 judges for the event includes Daphne Guinness as well as the fashion director of British Vogue, Kate Phelan, and Brian Rennie, who is the creative director of Gant.

Vogue.com editor Dolly Jones, who is also a member of the judging panel, said: "The third annual Scottish Fashion Awards is going to be a fitting celebration of Scotland's new and established talents.

"Vogue.com will be looking for more of the same: new ideas founded in the stylish heritage of a country that, let's face it, produced the family that gave us Alexander McQueen."