An island womenswear label has been praised for its innovation at the Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards For Excellence.

Claire Christian Couture, which was established in 2013, was presented with the Manx Gas Award for Innovation & Independent Thinking award tonight (Thursday).

Claire Christian of Claire Christian Couture received the award on stage at the Villa Marina in Douglas.

The judges said: ‘Claire’s creativity and innovation have helped her to build a profitable business.’

Claire turned her dining room into a pattern cutting room, her shed into a sewing room and the conservatory into a mini showroom when setting up her company.

CCC has now grown into a reputable and profitable company with a stand-alone concept store and atelier.

The concept store stocks Claire’s ready to wear range along with other unique local and international brands. It is from here that she also runs her bespoke “one off” design service.

Each of her garments is crafted with high quality exclusive materials which employ some of the finest crafts people on the island. Pioneering couture artisan techniques, Claire has brought high end fashion at its finest to the island.

• Watch the livestreaming of the event by searching: https://video.ibm.com/channel/dqCH865pmTG or follow live updates via our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages @iomnewspapers

Read more about the awards and its special guests in the Isle of Man Examiner, which comes out on Tuesday.