FIVE of the Australian fashion industry's leading names will battle it out for the inaugural Australian Fashion Laureate award.

Jayson Brunsdon, Collette Dinnigan, Nicholas Huxley, Akira Isogawa and Carla Zampatti will compete the for the honour, with the winner being announced at New South Wales Government House in Sydney next Monday.

The event will be held on the eve of Australian fashion week's "transeasonal" collections.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma said today that among those considered for the prestigious award were fashion designers, manufacturers, business owners, photographers, stylists and other key industry figures.

To be eligible, they must have contributed to the growth, development and promotion of the Australian fashion industry.

"In the same way that other industries honour their leaders and greatest achievers, the Australian Fashion Laureate will honour outstanding creative or intellectual achievement in the Australian fashion industry," Mr Iemma said.

"This laureate recognises the important role played by the fashion industry in the cultural and economic fabric of NSW and further cements Sydney as the fashion capital of Australia and the Asia-Pacific," he said.

Nine top industry peers and Australian Fashion Week board members will select the winner.

From the Herald Sun

Does anyone else feel that this reads more like a PR drive then a serious award?