London: Givenchy’s artistic director Clare Waight Keller Monday received the British Designer of the Year Womenswear Award from Meghan Markle, whose dress she designed for her wedding with Prince Harry.
“It is so nice to celebrate British fashion here,” said Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, during the stars-lined annual fashion prizes in the Albert Hall.
The former American actress, who is pregnant, praised the “vision”, “creativity” and also “the incredible friendliness” of Waight Keller.
The two women met at the beginning of 2018, before the designer created the dress that Meghan wore for her wedding with Harry on 19 May.
The British Fashion Awards also recognized Vivienne Westwood, winner of the prize for positive change, for its dedication to the environment.
The 77-old high priestess of Punk took the opportunity to expose the “rotten financial system” of which the lady said it was “the cause of all our problems”.
An old political campaigner, she also focused on French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently canceled the tax increases of fuel tax in the light of the protests of the “yellow cardigan”.
“This tax hurts the poor more than anyone else,” said Westwood and added: “He doesn’t think he has already given all these tax benefits to the rich people. So of course everyone will be irritated.”
The Model of the Year Award went to the 17-year-old Kaia Gerber, in the footsteps of her mother, former supermodel Cindy Crawford.
“It’s such an honor,” said the young American, about tears. “I only have a small role in bringing a creative vision to life, but I am so grateful to be part of it.”
Under the other prizes, the Italian fashion house Gucci was named brand of the year and the Italian Pierpaolo Piccioli, artistic director of Valentino, won the Best Designer Award.
