Franca Sozzani to be honoured at The Fashion Awards

The British Fashion Council has announced that editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue Franca Sozzani will receive the new Swarovski Award for Positive Change at The Fashion Awards in December.

The new award aims to recognise individuals who promote the welfare of others to achieve change and positive impact to good causes, and the British Fashion Council states that Sozzani is a worthy winner in recognition of her “commitment to diversity and for using her position and influence to positively impact the wider world”.

The organisers added that her honour is due to her “tireless commitment to fundraising for local and international charities”, and she will be recognised in part for her commitment to her role as Global Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme, her work with Convivio in the fight to eradicate AIDS and the work she does with the European Institute of Oncology towards prevention and diagnosis of oncological diseases.

Sponsor of the award and member of the Swarovski executive committee Nadja Swarovski: “We are delighted to present the inaugural Swarovski Award for Positive Change to Franca Sozzani. During her nearly three decades as editor of Vogue Italia she has worked tirelessly both to innovate and push the creative boundaries of fashion, and to help lead the global fight for a world without AIDS, cancer and hunger.

“Franca is an incredible woman and a force for good, and this award is the perfect celebration of her commitment to positive change, both inside and outside the industry.”

Chair of the British Fashion Council Dame Natalie Massenet added: “Words cannot express the huge deal of admiration and respect I have for Franca and her work. She exemplifies those qualities this award has been created to honour, and her tireless commitment to the causes she cares so passionately about is a great example to us all. The positive impact she has had on the fashion and global communities will be felt for generations to come.”

The Fashion Awards, formerly named the British Fashion Awards is being repositioned this year, as the British Fashion Council looks to “cement London’s position as the world’s pre-eminent creative hub”, and the annual awards will also become a fundraiser for the British Fashion Council Education Foundation charity.

Earlier this month it was revealed that American photographer Bruce Weber would receive the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator at the event, which takes place on 5 December at the Royal Albert Hall.

Image: Courtesy of the British Fashion Council