The Fashion Awards 2017 in partnership with Swarovski will award Stella McCartney OBE with a Special Recognition Award for Innovation, celebrating her outstanding contribution to the fashion industry. McCartney will be honoured on December 4 at the Royal Albert Hall for her commitment to material innovation and for using her influence to raise awareness on environmental issues. Her constant investment as a responsible, authentic and modern business is what makes her one of the industry’s most respected designers.

Stella McCartney’s commitment to environmental issues started at an early age. As a vegetarian passionate about animal rights, McCartney has never used any leather, fur, skins or feathers in her designs. After completing a degree in fashion design at central St Martins, McCartney’s international career officially commenced in 1997, when she was appointed Creative Director at French luxury house Chloé. In 2001, Stella McCartney established her eponymous fashion house in 50/50 in partnership with global luxury group, Kering. Since its launch, Stella McCartney’s brand has had a deeply rooted commitment to ethical values, believing the company is responsible for the resources it uses and the impact it has on the environment, constantly exploring innovative ways to become more responsible from design to store practices and product manufacturing. McCartney’s main goal is to combine her brand’s commitment to sustainability without compromising on luxurious beautiful designs. This is what makes her a game changer in the industry, a true innovator.

McCartney exults, “I’m incredibly proud to get this award. What I am most proud of is that it is a new award that is introduced into the Fashion Awards, a special recognition on innovation. I am hoping that as being the first recipient, I can inspire other design houses to follow suit and to make this the most prestigious award, not just a one off.”