Christopher Bailey, the creative whirlwind who has helped turn the heritage brand, Burberry, into a global luxury label, was last night named ‘Designer of the Year’ 2009, at the British Fashion Awards.
It is the second win for Bailey who previously was awarded the title in 2005.
Last night's fashion “oscar” capped a remarkable year for Bailey, the 38-year-old Yorkshireman, who received the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours earlier this year, and whose spring/summer 2010 Burberry Prorsum collection was the highlight of London Fashion Week, in September.
In addition, Burberry took home the Designer Brand award. In his acceptance speech, Bailey, who is chief creative officer, announced that Burberry Prorsum would continue to show at London Fashion Week in February.
Georgia May Jagger, the 17-year-old daughter of the Rolling Stone, Sir Mick Jagger, was named ‘Model of the Year’, following her international success as the “face” of Hudson Jeans and the Versace spring/summer 2010 campaign.
Other leading fashion figures were also honoured at the ceremony, supported by Swarovski, and held at the Royal Courts of Justice, in London. The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator went to the creative director of American Vogue, the British-born Grace Coddington, who emerged as the “star” of the recent ‘frockumentary, “The September Issue”.
The London 25 Award, decided by public vote, to recognise an individual who embodies the spirit of London and is an international fashion “ambassador”, was given to Kate Moss.
he designer John Galliano, one of the most influential designers of his generation, received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design, in recognition of his extraordinary career from Central Saint Martins graduate to creative director of the French house of Christian Dior.
Kim Jones, the creative director of Dunhill, won the Menswear Designer award, while Katie Hillier was named Accessory Designer.
Christopher Kane, who designs for his own label, as well as Topshop and Donatella Versace, was awarded the BFC British Collection of the Year trophy.
The Swarovski Emerging Talent Awards for ready-to-wear and accessories, were won, respectively, by Peter Pilotto, and Holly Fulton.
The gala evening, which climaxed the 25th anniversary celebrations for London Fashion Week, attracted an A-list line-up of celebrities, including Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, and Claudia Schiffer.
