Valentino to be honoured with Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fashion Awards 2023
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced that Italian designer Valentino Garavani, known mononymously as Valentino – founder and former creative director of his eponymous fashion house - will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fashion Awards 2023.
Admired for his "exquisite and groundbreaking couture creations" and red-carpet gowns, Valentino's impressive body of work will be celebrated on 4 December at the Royal Albert Hall in London – where The Fashion Awards will take place.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, said: "We are thrilled to present Valentino with the Outstanding Achievement Award for his game-changing approach and pursuit to push boundaries throughout his long-spanning career. He is a true visionary whose boundless creativity, innovative designs, and dedication to craftsmanship, have revolutionised the fashion industry.
"Valentino’s contributions and achievements are unparalleled, and he has not only set new standards of excellence but also inspired generations of designers. We look forward to celebrating him in London this December.”
Valentino commented: "It is a tremendous honour to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award. Throughout the years, I have been fortunate to witness the transformative power of fashion and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had.
"To be honoured in London, one of my most beloved cities, makes this momentous occasion even more special. I am truly humbled, and I hope to continue to inspire future generations of designers to challenge conventional norms and wholeheartedly embrace innovation, beauty, and glamour."
Valentino, 91, co-founded ‘Maison Valentino’ with Giancarlo Giammetti in Rome in 1960, with a debut collection in 1962. His designs featured bold colours, luxurious and innovative fabrics, intricate embroidery and masterful draping which "captivated the fashion elite".
Valentino’s iconic design signatures include Valentino Red, a striking crimson shade, and the ‘V’ emblem, featured on the brand’s accessories. Since his retirement in 2008, Valentino’s legacy lives on through his globally renowned luxury brand, which "continues to honour the designer’s passion for consummate femininity, old Hollywood glamour and craftsmanship".
The Outstanding Achievement Award celebrates the overwhelming creative contribution of an individual to the fashion industry, who throughout their illustrious career has constantly "shaped and reshaped the fashion world" through their innovation and creativity. Previous winners of the award include Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada, Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, Manolo Blahnik and Anna Wintour.
The Fashion Awards is the primary fundraiser of the BFC Foundation, which supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on education, grant-giving and business mentoring. In the financial year 2022/2023, the BFC remitted over £1.2 million in funds to designers and scholars.
