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The British Fashion Council (BFC) and Swarovski have commissioned Ghanaian British architect Sir David Adjaye OBE and principal architect and founder of Adjaye Associates to create the crystal trophy for The Fashion Awards 2018 in partnership with Swarovski, taking place on Monday 10th December 2018 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The crystal trophy is a symbolic memento of the evening and each year the BFC and Swarovski collaborate with a world-renowned designer to create a bespoke trophy for The Fashion Awards. In 2016, the trophy was designed by Marc Newson CBE, followed by John Pawson in 2017.
Sir David Adjaye OBE is recognized as a leading architect of his generation. Born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents his influences range from contemporary art, music and science to African art forms and the civic life of cities. His key projects include the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of African American History and Culture (2016), the Idea Stores in London (2005) and the Sugar Hill mixed-use social housing scheme in Harlem, New York (2015).
The Fashion Awards 2018 trophy is a study of form and material. Optical effects are achieved through geometry which amplify the refraction, distortion and reflection of the Swarovski crystal material. The six-sided column design tapers upward to create a dynamic form of triangular facets utilizing Swarovski’s innovative Wave Cut technology to achieve multiple concave surfaces. These surfaces, combined with the prismatic geometry, create beautiful and unexpected refractions.
The trophies have been handcrafted from crystal by Swarovski’s master cutters at the company’s headquarters in Wattens, Austria. Each trophy weighs approximately 1.4kg kg and measures 240mm in height and 93mm in diameter. They will complete the 800-mile journey from Austria to the Royal Albert Hall in London for the event.
Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, commented: “It is an honor to welcome Sir David Adjaye OBE as our latest prestigious design collaborator for the Fashion Awards. Sir David’s 2018 trophy captures the sparkling elegance and sophistication of these awards, and celebrates the innovation, energy and creative spirit at the heart of this industry.”
Sir David Adjaye OBE said: “I am honoured to have been invited to design the Fashion Awards 2018 trophy with Swarovski and hope it will bring a certain magic and add to the celebrations on the night. Swarovski crystal was integral to the design as I was captivated by the optical effects that you can achieve through geometry creating refraction, distortion and reflection with the material."
The Fashion Awards is the main fundraiser for the British Fashion Council (BFC), a not for profit organisation focused on promoting excellence in British fashion and supporting the future pipeline of creative talent. As part of their continued and generous support of The Fashion Awards 2018, Swarovski has pledged a £300,000 donation to the BFC Education Foundation in advance of this year’s event.
The BFC’s work is achieved through a range of charitable initiatives which focus on education, business and mentoring schemes that support talent from school level and emerging designers to fashion start-ups and established brands. In 2017, the BFC raised over £2.2 million for its charities and business support initiatives and in the twelve months to March 2018 has allocated £1.1 million in grants to designer businesses to further support these efforts.
General tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
The generosity and commitment of our sponsors is more vital than ever. Please help us by acknowledging our Principal Sponsor SWAROVSKI for their support of The Fashion Awards 2018. Official Sponsors American Express, Bird in Hand, Digital Domain, Getty Images, Lavazza Coffee, Mercedes-Benz, Rosewood London and Slingsby Gin.