The 68 finalists for this year's Stars Awards have been announced (shortlisted from over 450 nominations) – the most successful yet for this 4th edition.

The 68 finalists for this year’s Stars Awards have been announced (shortlisted from over 450 nominations) – the most successful yet for this 4th edition. The Awards are independently judged by a jury of 22 brands in swimwear, lingerie and legwear and organised and sponsored by Underlines Magazine and supported by INVISTA (owners of the Lycra� brand). The winners will be announced at a Gala Ceremony on 8th November 2012 at the Guoman Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, London.

8 Categories of Award recognise the achievements of the best independent, department stores and speciality shops throughout the UK and Ireland.

BEST NEWCOMER AWARD

Anon Lingerie (Elland), Azizi Lingerie (Lisburn, NI), Beau Belle (Malmesbury), Belle Femme (Kilkenny City, Ireland), Boutique 65 (Colchester), Delectable Mrs D’s (Kirkwall, Orkney), Lily & Grace (Forest Row), Loula Lingerie (Leigh-on-Sea), Noo Noos (London) and Only You (Framlingham).

CONCEPT SHOP AWARD

Angela Knight (Hungerford), Betty & Belle (Altrincham), Boutique 65 (Colchester), Boux Avenue (nationwide), Guilt (Petworth), Honeys Lingerie (Henley in Arden), Kings Road Sporting Club (London), Lily & Grace (Forest Row), Pudding Lingerie (Reading), Tallulah (London) and The Lingerie Collective (London).

INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT STORE: WITH OUTSTANDING SPECIALIST OFFER

Bradbeers (Romsey), Camp Hopson (Newbury), Eve & Renshaw (Louth), Harrods, Jarrold (Norwich), W H Good (Kilkenny, Ireland) and Whites of Kent.

LARGE DEPARTMENT STORE

Bentalls (Kingston Upon Thames), Debenhams, Fenwick of Brent Cross, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and Selfridges.

E-TAIL/DIRECT SELLING AWARD

Bella di Notte, Less Bounce, Mish Online, My Tights, Simply Beach, Surfdome and UK Tights.

PERSONAL TOUCH AWARD

Bare Necessities (Melbourne), Bella di Notte (Helmsley), Blushhh Lingerie (Truro), Carols (Bishops Stortford), Chantilly (Rochdale), Cheshire Lady (Congleton), Chic Lingerie (Garstang), Loncherie (Farnham), Love Your Fit (Bury), Marie/Pure Marie (Abingdon), Prohibido (Cambridge), Sheen Uncovered (London), The Dressing Room (Bath), The Little Big Bra Shop (Market Harborough), The Little Bra Shop (Yarm) and Voulez Vous (Ludlow).

REFERENCE SHOP AWARD

Adorne (St Helier), Amelie’s Follies (London), Bare Necessities (Knutsford), Carols (Bishops Stortford), D’Braz (Banstead), Madame Foner (Swansea), Perfect Fit (Keynsham), Pretty Things (Buckhurst Hill), Sadie the Bra Lady, See-Saw (Hale), The Bra Shop (formerly Fashion Stop/Stocking Box of Aldershot), Top Drawer (Guildford) and Turnbulls Lingerie (Carlisle)

EXCELLENCE & OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – BY PUBLIC VOTE UNTIL 26th OCTOBER 2012

Angela Knight (Hungerford), D’Braz (Banstead), Jarrolds of Norwich, Less Bounce.com, Perfect Fit (Keynsham), Rigby & Peller (Mayfair), See-Saw (Hale), The Bra Shop (Aldershot, formerly Fashion Stop/Stocking Box), Turnbulls (Carlisle) and Winch & Blatch (Sudbury).

EDITOR’S AWARD – presented on the night by Editor of Underlines Magazine, Pamela Scott. Underlines Magazine is the leading B2B publication for lingerie, swimwear and legwear in the UK, established in 1989.

More information from Underlines on starsunderlines@aol.com or telephone 020 7729 3664

Stars: Underlines Best Shop Awards is part of an international award competition which includes Sterne der Wasche (Germany), Best of Intima (USA) and Stelle dell’Intimo (Italy) which aims to highlight the value and innovation of small/medium sized retailers and e-tailers.