Queen Elizabeth II made her London Fashion Week debut sitting front row at Richard Quinn's autumn/winter 2018 show.
The UK’s 93-year-old monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, surprised fashion lovers by making her first ever appearance at London Fashion Week, on Tuesday this week. She sat on the front row alongside fashion royalty, American Vogue‘s Anna Wintour, and British Fashion Council (BFC) chief executive, Caroline Rush. The Queen attentively watched the models strut down the runway in an array of vibrant floral garments accessorised with motorcycle helmets.Her appearance at London Fashion Week was to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Central Saint Martins fashion graduate, Richard Quinn. Buckingham Palace announced the award was to recognise, “the role the fashion industry plays in society and diplomacy.”
The Queen presenting the first Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Richard Quinn. Image courtesy of Vogue
The Queen dazzled in an elegant duck-egg blue tweed two-piece, embellished with Swarovski crystals. Her Majesty’s fashion week outfit was designed by her long-time dressmaker, Angela Kelly – also on the FROW.
The award will be presented annually to a talented, emerging British fashion designer, who according to the BFC, “Shows exceptional talent and originality, while demonstrating value to the community and/or strong sustainable policies.”
Rush introduced the Queen, paying tribute to her Majesty’s presence by stating, “Your Majesty, I know you do not wish to be known as a fashion icon, but for all of us in this room, who have this utmost respect for you […] we know you undoubtedly are.”