Following a year of virtual fashion shows, financial strain and the closures of several of our favourite High Street stores, the British Fashion Council (BFC) is bringing back some much-needed positivity to the arts and has announced the nominees for its Changemakers Prize.
The prize, which was launched in partnership with Swarovski earlier this year, aims to find and celebrate individuals in the fashion industry who are changing its landscape with their awe-inspiring innovation, dedication and originality.
On Thursday, the BFC announced its list of nine prize nominees, split across three pillars of the BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF): disciplines: People, Environment and Community and Craftsmanship.
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The nominees include:
People
- Cyndia Harvey - Hair-maker
- Laura Johnson and Zoe Proctor - Image-maker
- Rahemur Rahman - Image-maker
Environment
- John Hickling - Craft-maker
- Natalie Glaze and Zanna Van Dijk - Eco-makers
- Patrick McDowell - Dress-maker
Community and Craftsmanship
- Andrew Kenny - Thread-maker
- Cozette McCreery - Community-maker
- Daisy Knatchbull - Stitch-maker
The names of the three winners, one representing each discipline, will be announced on Thursday, September 2. They will also win £7,500, a mentoring package and support from the BFC and Swarovski in order to help them continue paving the way in their respective fields.
An expert panel of judges including BFC Chief Executive Caroline Rush, Swarovski Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert, ELLE UK’s Editor-in-Chief Farrah Storr, model Lily Cole, activist Munroe Bergdorf and Queer Eye’s Tan France whittled the finalists down from over 500 applicants. Entrants were nominated by colleagues, peers, businesses and employers in recognition of their game-changing work.
‘The shortlisted candidates are a perfect demonstration of how creativity can blend with social conscience,' Storr tells ELLE UK. 'Each individual has not only stamped their own unique mark on the fashion industry but has done so with heart and soul.
'The fashion industry moves far beyond the seemingly glamorous world of catwalks and designers. It is a vital part of the UK economy encompassing educators, factory workers, retail staff as well as thousand of small businesses. This is the first award to fully recognise the entire industry and the contribution those individuals make.'
Founded in 1983, the BFC is a not-for-profit organisation that works to promote the British fashion industry across the world and strengthen its reputation as a pioneer in responsible creative business. And, with its latest prize, we can't wait to see what the future holds for the nominees and the fashion industry at large.
Watch this space!
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
