London: British Fashion Honored By The Queen

New Year, new Honors List for those lucky few privileged enough to receive recognition for their services by the Queen and subsequently bear an extra accolade added to their title. And this year sees many notable names in British fashion lauded for their achievements and services to the industry throughout the years.

Perhaps the most notable fashion name set to become a Dame this year is revolutionary Mary Quant, who popularised the miniskirt in the ’60s and further made hotpants and other popular fashions the status quo, many of which we widely still wear today. Now 80 years old, Quant is understandably thrilled at the news: “I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded this terrific honour,” Quant said today. “It is extremely gratifying that my work in the fashion industry has been recognised and acknowledged in such a significant way.” Vivienne Westwood, another notable name on the British fashion scene, was similarly appointed a Damehood in 2006.

Other fashion influentials set to receive the title CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) include Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, and Julie Deane, who founded the popular British brand, The Cambridge Satchel Company. Whistles CEO Jane Shepherdson and Vanita Parti, Blink Brow Bar founder, both receive MBEs (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) from the Queen—the latter for her charity work in India. For Julie Deane, who founded The Cambridge Satchel Company from her home and has watched it grow and evolve, the recognition is particularly poignant: “I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved as a company and this recognition is the icing on the cake. We are dedicated to manufacturing within the UK and to receive such recognition in Britain feels just right for us. This is the perfect end to an amazing year for us and we look forward to continued growth both here and internationally over the coming months.”