Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes just want the fashion world to play nice. That’s why they created one-off catwalk looks for last night’s RE:Fashion Awards, the world’s first ceremony dedicated to honouring ethical-fashion leaders.
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Jonathan Saunders, Todd Lynn and Bora Aksu were just a few of the other designers to make pieces for the event, hosted by TV presenter and magazine writer Louise Roe at Shoreditch Town Hall.
As for models, it was a child-of-celebrity fest: Think Pixie Geldof, Leah Weller, Leah Wood and Daisy Lowe. Daisy and Leah Wood even brought mums Pearl and Jo along to present awards, but Ronnie Wood was nowhere to be found.
Daily Telegraph Fashion Director Hilary Alexander (who judged the awards with panelists including designer Katharine Hamnett and the BFC’s Anna Orsini) looked extra-excited to present the RE:Designer of the Year Award to From Somewhere. Hilary’s dream eco-fashion accomplishment? John Galliano creating a sustainable collection for Dior.
RE:Fashion offered 12 awards in three categories, including designers, making a difference and innovation. Knitwear brand Izzy Lane won the New RE:Designer of the Year Award, while Marie Claire earned the nod for RE:Consumer Awareness. Models like Lily Cole, Alek Wek and Erin O’Connor will have to wait a year to find out who’ll take the RE:Model prize, as judges were too stumped to pick a winner. (And apologies for all the RE:Peats. I didn’t name the award categories.)
With sponsors like Topshop, New Look and Marks & Spencer involved in the awards ceremony, it seems a step in the right direction to make ethical fashion more mainstream. And with Whistles CEO Jane Shepherdson (former Topshop royalty) on the judging panel, will we be seeing new, socially aware designers stocked on the racks soon?
– Jill Hilbrenner
