Kate Middleton is generally considered to be the royal family’s most fashion-forward member, but until now there was one major royal fashion moment she had never participated in. On Wednesday, Kate traveled to the British Design Museum to present a design award named after Queen Elizabeth for the first time. At the ceremony, Kate awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Award to British-Guyanese menswear designer Saul Nash, known for challenging gender norms and for his skills as a choreographer.
Wearing a belted green dress by British-Canadian designer Edeline Lee, Kate delivered a speech in the museum’s atrium. “It is an absolute honor to be here today,” she said. “I’ve heard so many inspiring stories about Britain’s creativity and seeing such incredible work from many talented designers.” At a later reception she greeted British Vogue editor Edward Enninful and Caroline Rush, the chief of the British Fashion Council. Later she stood with Nash to watch a live presentation of a recent collection with choreographed break dancing.
By Chris Jackson/BFC/POOL/AFP/Getty Images.
In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, Nash explained the significance of the award. “This week has felt like a dream,” he said. “To be recognised in this way is an incredible vote of confidence—it would be for any designer, but I feel especially proud as this is a moment of validation for sportswear.”
In 2018, the queen herself presented the first Queen Elizabeth II Award to designer Richard Quinn, making her first appearance at London Fashion Week in the front row of his show. In the subsequent years, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, presented the award on the queen’s behalf.
Listen to Vanity Fair’s DYNASTY podcast now.
Content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.