Pierpaolo Piccioli, the creative director of Valentino, has won the designer of the year award at the 2022 Fashion Awards.
Piccioli was presented with his award on Monday night by the actor Florence Pugh, who regularly wears the Italian brand for red carpet events.
The star-studded ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall was hosted by the Queen & Slim actor Jodie Turner-Smith.
Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth Debicki, Golda Rosheuvel, Emma Corrin, Burna Boy, Sam Smith, Paris Jackson and Ashley Graham were present and Bella Hadid attended via a video link.
Demna, the creative director of Balenciaga, who had previously been nominated in the designer of the year award category, was shunned. The brand did not attend and Demna’s (he does not use his surname) name was removed from the list of nominees.
The luxury fashion house recently apologised over adverts that showed children holding teddy bears in bondage gear and others featuring documents about child sexual abuse law as a prop.
Demna also issued a statement on Instagram on Friday where he personally apologised, stating it was “the wrong artistic choice of concept”.
The Fashion Awards nominees and winners are voted for by an international judging panel made up of more than 1,000 industry experts.
Monday night marks the second time Piccioli has won the award – he first scooped the prize in 2018. “If I am reading this speech tonight, it means that dreams can take you to places you never expected to be,” he said at the time.
In 2021, sales rose 41% at the fashion house. It reported revenue of €1.36bn (£1.17bn), 3% higher than the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
Piccioli is widely credited with increasing demand, especially among Gen Z, a demographic highly coveted by the luxury market. Piccioli also teamed up with Pantone to create a special “Pink PP” shade featured on everything from miniature bags to couture gowns, inspiring endless high street iterations.
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Other recipients on the night included Bella Hadid, who won model of the year, and Grace Wales Bonner, founder of the Wales Bonner brand, who was presented with the Independent British Brand award.
The designer Raf Simons, the disability activist Sinéad Burke and the former creative director of Gucci, Alessandro Michele, were among 15 industry figures honoured in the leaders of change lineup.
Elsewhere, the cofounder of the 1990s magazine Dazed & Confused, Jefferson Hack, was presented with a special recognition award for cultural curation by Tilda Swinton, while the stylist and creative director Katie Grand received the Isabella Blow award for fashion creator.
The British fashion industry also paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II through a segment entitled “the fashion salute show”, featuring London-based brands including Burberry, Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane.
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Pierpaolo Piccioli and Valentino:
- Designer of the Year Award: Pierpaolo Piccioli, the creative director of Valentino, achieved the prestigious Designer of the Year award at the 2022 Fashion Awards. This is not the first time Piccioli has received the honor; he previously won in 2018.
- Sales Growth: In 2021, Valentino experienced a notable sales increase of 41%, reaching a revenue of €1.36bn (£1.17bn), which is 3% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
- Collaboration with Pantone: Piccioli collaborated with Pantone to create a special "Pink PP" shade, featured on various items from miniature bags to couture gowns. This collaboration contributed to increased demand, particularly among Gen Z.
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Balenciaga and Demna:
- Designer of the Year Nominee: Demna, the creative director of Balenciaga, was nominated for the Designer of the Year award but faced controversy leading to his exclusion from the event.
- Ad Controversy: Balenciaga recently issued an apology for controversial advertisem*nts featuring children holding teddy bears in bondage gear and documents about child sexual abuse law as props. Demna personally apologized on Instagram, acknowledging it as the "wrong artistic choice of concept."
- Non-Attendance: Balenciaga did not attend the awards ceremony, and Demna's name was removed from the list of nominees.
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Fashion Awards Ceremony:
- Host and Attendees: The awards ceremony took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall, hosted by actor Jodie Turner-Smith. Present at the event were notable figures such as Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth Debicki, Golda Rosheuvel, Emma Corrin, Burna Boy, Sam Smith, Paris Jackson, and Ashley Graham. Bella Hadid attended via video link.
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Other Award Recipients:
- Model of the Year: Bella Hadid received the Model of the Year award.
- Independent British Brand Award: Grace Wales Bonner, founder of the Wales Bonner brand, was presented with this award.
- Leaders of Change Lineup: Industry figures, including designer Raf Simons, disability activist Sinéad Burke, and former Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele, were honored in the leaders of change lineup.
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Special Recognition Awards:
- Cultural Curation: Jefferson Hack, co-founder of the 1990s magazine Dazed & Confused, received a special recognition award for cultural curation presented by Tilda Swinton.
- Isabella Blow Award: Stylist and creative director Katie Grand received the Isabella Blow award for fashion creator.
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Fashion Salute Show:
- Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: The British fashion industry paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II through a segment entitled "the fashion salute show," featuring brands such as Burberry, Alexander McQueen, and Christopher Kane.
