Drapers Awards are important for the industry because of the standards they set and what they actually mean for the brands.

Daniel Peters, founder and director, Fashion Minority Report

It is a celebration of the hard work and effort that those independents put into their businesses: they are their businesses – they are there, seven days a week in some cases. They put their heart and soul in those businesses, so it's a deserved celebration of that sector.

James Crabtree, head of fashion, Associated Independent Stores

The fashion industry is a super-vast industry and Drapers Awards are one of the most significant awards in the space, so we are really excited to win this award.

Vaayu, Tech Innovator of the Year award winner

This is the most incredible honour to win Best New Brand award. Awarded by Drapers – it's iconic in the retail and fashion business, so for us to win this award and to be such a new company, it's overwhelmingly brilliant

Naia Beach, Best New Brand award winner

It's the retail event of the year and this award will mean a huge amount to the team.

Marks & Spencer, Retailer of the Year (>100m turnover) award winner

I thing it's a very changing, evolving time but there seems to be lots of opportunity, which is really exciting and customers really championing independence which is great.

Sign of the Times, Best Use of Social Media award winner

Judging this year, the entries were exceptional. I have done this for maybe 10 years now, and particularly the focus on sustainability is really coming through – reselling product as well – which is a really nice development we are seeing in the retail sector.

Juls Dawson, director, Just Around The Corner

I think it's the only awards event that brings the whole industry together, all the different levels, depending on marketing campaigns or whether retailer, etailer. We have always supported Drapers over the years.

Fashion Enter, Fashion Supplier of the Year award winner

There is a lot of pride in the family history that has brought us this far, we have independents that have been with us 40 or 50 years, so immerse pride.

Remus Uomo, Menswear Brand of the Year award winner

It's really important to just connect with fellow people in the industry and especially fashion. It's quite a small environment, and just to see the amount of people tonight and make the connections is always brilliant.

Wendy Duggan, director of marketing, Primark

This is the biggest independent awards programme in the country, and I really feel it gives you the chance to show the world what you do. Being selected to be part of it is incredible and it would be incredible for you as a small brand to get that light.

Nudea, Sustainability Award winner

An award coming from Drapers is incredibly important to us. It motivates us to look to the future and be better next year.

Barbour, Menswear Brand of the Year award winner

It's a good recognition and hopefully it's a platform for us to do more things in the coming years.

Humes Outfitters, Best Multichannel Independent award winner

I grew up on the market stalls, so all my life I have been waiting for this award.

Never Fully Dressed, Womenswear Brand of the Year award winner

I am so proud that my two sons are taking things on, and we won the Menswear Brand of the Year with our Remus Uomo brand, and that's down to their hard work and their ideas and creativity.

Donald Finlay, executive chair, Douglas & Grahame

I would say to anyone thinking of entering, definitely enter. It's hugely motivating thing for your team. I have been a judge but I have been also an entrant before, as well. It's a really good way of recognising your team, your business, getting that recognition from the industry and really standing out.

Richard Christofoli, chief customer officer, Freemans Grattan Holdings

I just came up with the idea at uni, it's my first job in the industry and it's amazing having your work recognised.

Abbie Jeffrey, Humes Outfitters, Independent Star of the Year award winner