Last night J W Anderson took home ‘Designer of the Year’ award at the British Fashion Council ‘Fashion Awards 2023.’

Of course Anderson wasn’t the only one to take home an award last night, Sarah Burton who took on the mantle after Alexander McQueen passed, was honoured with a special achievement award for her 13 years as Creative Director. She has left a very large gap in the role of women as Creative Directors in the fashion sector.

Sarah Mower was also awarded a special recognition award for championing young designer talent. Her dedication to New Gen talent in all forms has been game-changing for so many and something which Anderson acknowledged in his speech.

Finally, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful OBE, received the Trailblazer Award for his contribution to the fashion industry.

Fashion Week came to a close in Paris last week, where our Fashion Director styled London-based designer, Feben Vemmenby's show. If you haven’t heard of the label Feben yet, then it’s certainly worth taking note. A recent Masters graduate of Central Saint Martins as an Isabella Blow scholar, her work reclaims feelings of displacement. Creating an aesthetic vision imbedded in community, her approach explores visual codes of Black life from all corners of the globe. Hear from our Fashion Director, Karen Binns on styling the show. 

London Fashion Week was quite a difficult one to grasp. But, regardless of the Covid parameters, it came through like wild flowers. Designers either gave you The Great Outdoors. Or the importance of heritage and the home.

Now we are easing out of lockdown and into a new normal, the tide must change for everyone to rest and regroup from the last few months and pause. Before Fashion Roundtable turns off its audio, this week’s topic was one of the most important of all— ARE YOU REPRESENTED?

“Knowing Warhol in the 1980s, I’ve finally had the chance to witness the best interpretation of his work since his death. It was as if I was discovering a brand new artist, seamlessly exciting and enticing a new audience to his work.”

Our Fashion Director explores the key trends and aesthetics of the Autumn/Winter 20 collections at Paris Fashion Week. Take note…

Karen Binns was recently joined by Jaime Jarvis, Zeinab Batchelor and Jake Hall at SHOWstudio to discuss the LaQuan Smith A/W 20 womenswear show. The panellists debate LaQuan Smith's longevity as a brand, as they discuss why the collections garner such Instagram appeal and the future of black designers in America.

Never, in the history of fashion, has there been so many women dictating how men should look…

Our event last week was packed with an audience of all ages, backgrounds and voices. Karen covered her work but what for me was perhaps most moving, especially as it aligns with our work on Representation and Inclusion, was when Karen covered what cultural appropriation in fashion looks like in her own inimitable way.

Marc Jacobs on Karen Binns: "I've known Karen both personally and professionally for over two decades. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm for fashion is always a great and welcome inspiration to me. Her soaring, distinct vision and her insightful unique interpretation of 'what is ' and 'what will be' makes her a truly rare and exceptional voice in the fashion universe."

“Fashion like politics and indeed the FTSE 250 needs to recognise that inclusion and representation have to be core to systemic change. If businesses and politics are to represent those they serve then we have to see a radical transformation to create a sector which is inclusive and representative of all of us. From the power of the purple pound, to the estimated 60% growth of the modest fashion market to 2021, for businesses to connect with our consumers those in charge need to recognise the need for change in order to be effective and valued in these growing and important markets.”

This season at Paris fashion weeks AW 19/20, collections defined honour in the working women. With the recent passing of the the king himself, Karl Lagerfeld,  I felt sadness and joy all at the same time. Their was a quietness in the air, almost like a salute to the house of Chanel, And it’s achievement to still stand tall amongst all of the new designers houses.

“I am thrilled to be bringing a Fashion Roundtable event to the magical new The Shop at Bluebird in Floral Street. It’s a beautiful store, celebrating great fashion and style with a witty approach. Like many fashionistas, I worked hard to get a seat on the Front Row at catwalk shows; but what is also relevant is what we can do with that voice once we have achieved that influence. It’s one thing getting there, it’s another using it. That’s why I am so pleased to have these incredible speakers on board, all of whom have used their platforms to promote positive change. Am excited to share this event with you!”

" Blurred line between appropriation and appreciation. It’s a conversation being had by a lot of people."

 

For an industry, which conservative estimates say voted 95% Remain, the need for dialogue around Brexit and the potential impacts to the fashion sector are clear.

A sector based on global trade and talent, with creative exchange and international travel at the heart of it's business model: how does it survive and indeed thrive through the upcoming UK and EU trade deals, as they begin in earnest next month in Brussels?