The Fashion Forward Emerging Designer Award, presented by Dr. Roberta MacKay and Mr. Elmer Brenner, is an honorarium that is awarded to one emerging designer immediately after the conclusion of the runway program on last date of SFW. Emerging designers are judged by three local fashion industry professionals and entrepreneurs and are evaluated on: business strategy, branding, design aesthetic, construction, fabrication, runway presentation, and cohesion. The Fashion Forward Emerging Designer Award was created in 2013 to enable the receipient to invest in the development their business plan and marketing strategy, pursue professional development, and enhance their design portfolio. In addition to the cash honorarium, the recipient is also awarded a sewing machine, gifted by by Cindy-rella Sewing and Quilting