BPF member and pioneering British Asian fashion house, Raishma, has won the Best Online Retailer accolade for her website www.raishma.co.uk, at the fourth annual English Asian Business Awards, sponsored by Lloyds.

Founder, Raishma Islam is known for creating beautifully crafted, ultra-feminine ready-to-wear pieces, from embellished kaftans to glamorous evening gowns. Her designs are versatile enough to be worn at parties, weddings and red carpet events and she has dressed the likes of Mel B, Juliet Stevenson, Justine Miliband, Priya Kalidas, Meera Syal, and HRH Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

With her business growing at an exponential rate, she launched her e-commerce website, www.raishma.co.uk, just over a year ago and opened her flagship shop in Europe’s first purpose-built South Asian mall, East Shopping Centre, in London.

Thrilled with the award, Raishma said: “We launched our new online store only 12 months ago, so winning this award is such a wonderful recognition of our hard work and efforts! I had a vision to create a fusion inspired ready-to-wear collection on a dynamic platform and I feel we have achieved this.”

Established in 1998, the Raishma brand quickly became synonymous with high quality, cutting-edge style. Having trained under distinguished designer Elizabeth Emanuel – famed for creating Princess Diana’s wedding dress – and Bella Freud, the haute-couture designer has since developed a high profile repertoire of royal and celebrity clients, as well as a loyal bridal client base.

Raishma now sells her prêt-a-porter collection online at www.raishma.co.uk and Not On the High Street, as well as in her new flagship store on East London’s Green Street.

As well as the ready-to-wear collection, Raishma offers clients a bespoke service and designs evening gowns and bridal outfits to the client’s specifications, which can feature intricate hand-beading, stunning appliqué and bold patterns.

Raishma now collaborates with other designers to bring a range of jewellery, as well as expanding her own range of accessories such as handbags and shawls.

Held at Manchester’s Mercure Piccadilly Hotel on June 8th, the English Asian Business Awards honours the determination, hard work and personal achievements of English Asian business men and women, who are at the forefront of their industries.