On February 20th 2018 something truly amazing happened at London Fashion Week. We all know that you see all manner of sights during show season, whether it’s formidable street style, super A-list celebs walking the streets completely unbothered by the public, or an awesome new designer who puts out a superb show staking their territory as One to Watch. Yes, we know where to go if we want to see the weird and the wonderful during London Fashion Week, but this season brought in a new player, one none of us were expecting.
That’s right Voyeurs, the actual Queen was present on the frow at Richard Quinn. THE ACTUAL QUEEN.
Take a minute, then go check out all the #Yasqueen memes on Instagram and Twitter dedicated to this awesome happening. yes, Her Actual Majesty (HAM?) was greeted upon arrival at London Fashion Week by Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council and toured the Designer Showrooms to view the collections on display. Her Majesty was then introduced by Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent to the current crop of NEWGEN designers including Ben Cottrell, Charles Jeffrey, Grace Wales Bonner, Liam Hodges, Marta Jakubowski, Matthew Dainty, Michael Halpern, Nicholas Daley, Paula Knorr, Phoebe English, Richard Malone and Sadie Williams before attending the Richard Quinn runway show in the BFC showspace.
Now, you didn’t just think old Queenie rocked up to take in a bit of next season fashion did you? Her Majesty was in attendance to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. So what is it? Well, like Ron Burgundy, it’s kind of a big deal:
“Following The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, it was agreed that an award would be created to recognise emerging British fashion talent in the name of Queen Elizabeth II. The Award aims to provide a legacy of support for the industry in recognition the role fashion has played throughout Her Majesty’s Reign and continues to play in diplomacy, culture and communications. Each year a designer will be selected by the BFC, in collaboration with the Royal Household to be recognised by this Award. The Award will be presented by a Member of the Royal Family. The Award, designed by Angela Kelly, inspired by the Queen Elizabeth rose, has been hand-produced by Lucy Price at Bauhinia Studios in Birmingham’s famous jewellery quarter.”
British designer Richard Quinn became the first ever recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design this season and was recognised for his exceptional prints and ability to combine unique handcrafted skill with a refined high fashion sensibility. Already supplying leading stores around the world, Richard’s ethos of collaboration goes beyond his design business to include the creation of a print studio which offers high quality, accessible services to students and his peer group of emerging designers.
But what you really want to know is what went down right? Well, not much really. She was sat on the opposite side of the runway to me and cut a demure figure in a pale blue tweed style two piece designed by her personal atelier who was sat right beside her, watching her every move. More importantly though, Anna Wintour was sat to the Queen’s left and I swear to you Voyeurs, the two of them actually smiled. Together. for like two minutes tops. Weird huh?!
Pixie