LONDON, February 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

-Online designer fashion shopping hub whittles contenders down to final three-

farfetch.com, who gives customers access to the best designer boutiques on one easy-to-shop website, have released the names of the three boutiques that are in the running to take their first ever annual SUPERSTORE award. The three finalists have been announced as: Merci of Paris, France, which stocks brands such as Isabel Marant and Capellini; Voo of Berlin, Germany stockists of Acne and Surface to Air; and Primitive London of London, United Kingdom who sell pieces from Ava Catherside and Cassette Playa.

The SUPERSTORE award, which was launched late last year, is designed to celebrate, showcase and reward the entrepreneurial spirit of independent fashion boutiques. A shortlist of a dozen new boutiques that embody creative difference and demonstrate their forward-thinking vision was drawn up by an expert panel of creative judges including fashion designers Hannah Marshall, Katie Eary, Charles Anastase, Elisa Palomino, and Stefano Ughetti; photographer and film editor Fumi Nagasaka; and fashion director and publisher Caroline Issa. The final three finalists were then selected via public vote.

Paul Brine, spokesperson for farfetch.com, comments: "The SUPERSTORE award was our chance to really shine the spotlight on all the amazing new boutiques popping up across the globe and celebrate the spirit of these revolutionary retailers. With so many new boutiques doing wonders for fashion around the world, whittling the shortlist down to just three has been a close race, but the farfetch.com community has spoken and chosen three strong contenders for the final prize."

The winner of the SUPERSTORE award will be selected from the three finalists by farfetch.com. The chosen favourite will earn the chance to reach a global audience by becoming one of farfetch.com's boutique partners and will be able to sell their pieces, from designer dresses to men's shoes, for free for a year on farfetch.com.

Brine continues: "farfetch.com have been delighted with the shortlist for this competition - each of the nominees was so unique and exciting, proving that boutiques are still the heart and soul of the fashion world. Although only one boutique can take the award, farfetch.com believe all independent fashion retailers with individual concepts are winners and we look forward to celebrating this again next year."

The winner of the SUPERSTORE award will be announced in February. To find out more about the award and to see a full list of nominees, visit http://www.farfetchsuperstore.com/.

About farfetch.com:

http://www.farfetch.com unites the world's best independent fashion boutiques, so that you can buy from the most interesting designer fashion brands globally in one easy-to-shop website. Our aim is to provide an exciting range of designers and labels, while maintaining the personality of unique, independent boutiques. This new concept means you can shop from boutiques in Paris, London, Como, Copenhagen, California and New York in just a few seconds, all from the comfort of your own home or office.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news from farfetch.com and the rest of the fashion world on our Facebook and @farfetch pages.

SOURCE farfetch.com