BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL TO HONOR RALPH LAUREN AT FASHION AWARDS IN LONDON
The British Fashion Council has announced that Ralph Lauren will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award in Fashion at The Fashion Awards 2016 in partnership with Swarovski. The designer will be honored for his invaluable contribution to the fashion industry on Monday, December 5 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Over the past 50 years, Ralph Lauren and his iconic brand have helped shape and define the American fashion identity in a unique and resonant way. Through his commitment to design, innovation, business and philanthropy, Ralph Lauren has established himself as a pillar of the global fashion community.
As well as his creative achievements and skill as a businessman, Lauren is a wonderfully generous philanthropist. Since co-founding the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research in 1989, Lauren has continued to support a multitude of worthy causes through the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation. In 2000, the Ralph Lauren Corporation launched the Pink Pony Fund, later founding the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care in Harlem, New York, and The Ralph Lauren Center for Breast Cancer Research at The Royal Marsden in London. Lauren established the American Heroes Fund to help with the relief effort following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and he donated $13 million towards preserving the original Star-Spangled Banner. This endless capacity for generosity is part of what makes Lauren such a beloved and respected figure in the fashion community, and is one of countless reasons he is to be honored this year at the Fashion Awards.
“Ralph Lauren is an exemplary designer and businessman,” said Dame Natalie Massenet, chairman British Fashion Council. “He has helped to define an era in both American and global fashion with his singular vision; I know that most of us would say he has inspired us immeasurably. He has built an outstanding legacy and I look forward to celebrating him for years to come.”
Previous winners of the Outstanding Achievement Award include: Karl Lagerfeld (2015), Anna Wintour OBE (2014), Terry and Tricia Jones (2013) and Manolo Blahnik CBE (2012).