Fashion Awards give big boost to Kering as Michele, Gvasalia take top titles

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 6, 2016

The Fashion Awards, the newly rebranded version of the British Fashion Awards, hailed Alessandro Michele, Demna Gvasalia, Marco Bizzarri, Alexander McQueen, Franca Sozzani, Ralph Lauren and Gigi Hadid in London last night

But it was French group Kering that was the biggest winner. As the list above shows, it saw a number of its star designers, brands and one key executive taking the top honours.

As the creative chief of Kering’s Gucci power brand, Michele picked up the title of international accessories designer for the work he has done to transform Gucci’s fortunes in less than two years. His eclectic, highly decorative style has turned Gucci’s accessories business around and has become a major influencer for high street labels.

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Also at the event, organised by The British Fashion Council and sponsored by Swarovski, Demna Gvasalia was recognised both for his impact on Gucci stablemate Balenciaga, as well as his own disruptor label Vetements.

He walked off with the international ready-to-wear designer trophy for the former and international urban luxury brand for the latter. While Vetements still divides opinion among critics, there is no denying the influence it has had on the fashion sector. And Gvasalia has also helped to refocus attention on the Balenciaga label in his short time in charge there.

Meanwhile Gucci’s CEO Marco Bizzarri won the new title of international business leader, a reflection of his bold decision to appoint the then-relatively-unknown Michele to the creative helm in early 2015 and Gucci’s subsequent return to to the top of the ultimate fashion influencer list.

The event’s British roots were acknowledged with rising luxury star Simone Rocha winning the British womenswear award and Craig Green taking the equivalent menswear title. Kering took another title when its Alexander McQueen label was named top British brand. And Molly Goddard won the emerging talent title.

Gigi Hadid beat her sister Bella to take the international model award, reflecting both her ubiquitous presence on catwalks and in ad campaigns in the past year, as well as her huge social media reach. The award was presented to her by Donatella Versace, in whose campaigns she has appeared.

A trio of big names in the industry were also recognised for a lifetime of contributions to fashion and beyond with Ralph Lauren receiving a special award for outstanding achievement in fashion. Veteran photographer Bruce Weber walked away with the Isabella Blow award for fashion creator and Italian Vogue editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani took the Swarovski award for positive change.