Alessandro Michele to be honoured at the British Fashion Awards

The British Fashion Council is set to honour Gucci's Alessandro Michele, who has been credited for reinventing and rejuvenating the fashion house, at the upcoming British Fashion Awards. Michele will be presented with the 2015 International Designer Award at the ceremony on November 23, in recognition of the remarkable achievements he has accomplished in his role as Creative Director at Gucci.

"Alessandro Michele is a phenomenon at Gucci," said Natalie Massenet MBE, founder of Net-a-Porter and Chairman of the British Fashion Council. "His exciting eclectic aesthetic has made an overnight impact on global fashion trends. It is not just that he has made the brand covetable and the product so desirable. He has also reinvigorated the retail experience bringing back playfulness and magic to the flagship store. This is a man who has his customer in his heart and celebrates them."

Alessandro Michele to be awarded the 2015 International Designer Award at the British Fashion Awards

"I’m honoured and still a little incredulous," said Michele on receiving the award to the Telegraph. Although his name has yet to become a well acquainted household name, since he took over the creative reins at Gucci at the beginning of this year the designer has presented four collections which have managed to catch the attention of both the industry and the consumer alike. His new re-understanding of the brand combined with his modern take on romanticism have re-established Gucci's position as the number 2 fashion house in the global luxury goods market.

Michele admits that he was unaware of the impact his take on the traditional fashion house would have. "For me it was really natural and spontaneous," he said. "I didn't realise the impact it would have had...I like to work in an organic and natural way. There’s nothing in my job that feels like an obligation. Every aspect belongs to the same story." However, in spite of all his accomplishments over the past ten months, Michele remains unfazed by all the acclaim surrounding him.

The award also marks his return to London - where Gucci used to run out of its former headquarters in 2002 when Michele was hired by Tom Ford, the Creative Director at Gucci at the time. "London’s where my career at Gucci began," he added. "My first office was in Tom’s studio. I’m obsessed with British culture, past and present. I am deeply in love with this country and its gorgeous history." His fascination and love for the city is part of the reason why Gucci is set to host its cruise collection catwalk show in London as well.