The fashion audience in London is generally known to keep cool. But on Tuesday the editors and designers were tangibly excited during a ceremony for one of the most prestigious local prices in industry when Catherine, Princess of Wales, came to the fore to present this year Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design Unpleasant Patrick McDowell29, a designer born in Liverpool.
Dressed in an Olive Victoria Beckham suit and a white silk pussy-bow-blouse, Catherine ran with Mr. McDowell under mannequins and models that wore the appearance of the designer inside 180 The beachThe central London building where the event took place. It was the second time that the princess, which was founded in 2018 by the British Fashion Council and the British Royal Family, was founded to recognize the role of the London fashion industry “plays in society and diplomacy.”
The princess did not give public comments during the ceremony, but Mr. McDowell said that their private conversation had hit topics, including a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and the efforts of the designer to make collections in Great Britain and to offer customers the opportunity to repair or rework old garments.
Mr. McDowell added that, while Catherine toured the clothes at the exhibition, she was interested in a custom -made sleeveless jacket called “The Wales Jacket”.
“She said:” Why would you call it that? “With a big smile,” said Mr. McDowell. “What a moment to share jokes with our future queen.”
Catherine’s appearance came to the event when she performed the pace and profile of her public commitments after her diagnosis and treatment of cancer last year. In January she said her cancer was in remission; About a month later, the Sunday Times of London published an article that suggested that Kensington Palace would no longer reveal details about her outfits on the news media.
During the award ceremony, the princess also met other young designers who were present to present their wares, including Conner Ives, an American who works in London whose ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt has spread a lot on social media on social media in recent weeks. On Tuesday, Mr. Ives was announced as the 2025 winner of the British Mode Council/Vogue-Mode Fund, which came with a subsidy and an industrial mentorship.
In recent years, the Queen Elizabeth II Award went to designers for design, including Richard Quinn, SS Daley and Priya Ahluwalia. It has been presented in the past by other senior royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Princess Anne.
Mr. McDowell, whose namesake brand was introduced in 2018, is known for offering made evening and occasional clothing designed in London with recycled textile and new sustainable materials such as sequins made of cellulose. Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker and Keira Knightley are among the remarkable fans of the label.
Winning the Queen Elizabeth II Award was “a beautiful pat on the back that offers a game -changing stamp of approval,” said Mr. McDowell, as well as “recognition that working in a circular way is a way forward.”
“I would like to make a piece for her,” Mr. McDowell to it, referring to Catherine. “It would be a dream that comes out.”
