The Duchess of Cambridge presented The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design at an event hosted by the British Fashion Council at London’s Design Museum.
Now in its fifth year, the award aims to provide continuing recognition of the cultural and trade role the British design and fashion industry has played, and continues to play, throughout Her Majesty's reign. The inaugural award was announced and presented to Richard Quinn in February 2018 when The Queen made her first visit to London Fashion Week.
In this Platinum Jubilee year, the award was presented by The Duchess of Cambridge to emerging British menswear designer Saul Nash. At the event, The Duchess met and viewed designs of recipients from the British Fashion Council Foundation’s designer initiatives; NEWGEN, Fashion Trust and BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion fund and BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund. These funds provide up and coming designers with financial support, showcasing opportunities and mentoring as they work to build their brands. Previous winners have included Alexander McQueen and Erdem.
Following this, Her Royal Highness met representatives from the British Fashion Council and the wider fashion industry, including Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful. The Duchess then presented The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design and following this watched an immersive fashion show from Saul Nash.
The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design was presented by The Duchess of Cornwall in 2019, The Princess Royal in 2020 and The Countess of Wessex in 2021. The trophy itself was inspired by the Queen Elizabeth rose. It was hand-produced in 2018 by Lucy Price at Bauhinia Studios in Birmingham's famous jewellery quarter.
