Stella McCartney is to receive the Special Recognition Award for Innovation at the British Fashion Council's (BFC) 2017 Fashion Awards. The British designer launched her eponymous label back in 2001 in partnership with luxury group Kering, and has since built up a reputation for not using any leather or fur within her clothes and accessories. Now, McCartney is to be recognised by the BFC for her commitment to sustainable fashion, material innovation and for utilising her influence to create a positive environmental impact on the industry. In a statement, BFC chair Natalie Massenet shared that McCartney deserved the prize for her pioneering work in promoting eco-friendly practices.
"She has created a modern vegetarian business that in turn has led her to be at the forefront of sustainable sourcing and material innovation," she said. "She is proof that high and ethical fashion combined can create astonishing results and her innovative approach to the industry is an inspiration to us all."
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Stella McCartney is set to be awarded for her innovation
McCartney takes a mindful approach to all items created across her collections, including ready-to-wear, menswear, accessories, lingerie, swimwear, kids, fragrance and the Adidas by Stella McCartney line. Accordingly, the 46-year-old is hopeful that other fashion leaders will soon follow suit.
"I'm incredibly proud to get this award. What I am most proud of is that it is a new award that is introduced into the Fashion Awards, a special recognition on innovation," the designer shared. I am hoping that as being the first recipient, I can inspire other design houses to follow suit and to make this the most prestigious award, not just a one-off." A highlight of the international fashion calendar, the 2017 Fashion Awards will take place in London on 4 December (17).