The best front row ever? Remembering the day London Fashion Week welcomed Queen Elizabeth II

As London Fashion Week marks 40 years as a world leading style fest, one front row in its history remains exceptional.

It was a sight many people never expected to see –Queen Elizabeth II sitting in the front row of a show at London Fashion Week, next to the editor of Vogue, Dame Anna Wintour. It made headlines around the world and became one of the best loved images of the late Queen’s later years.

Queen Elizabeth wore a duck egg blue Angela Kelly suit for the event in 2018.

Her Late Majesty was greeted upon arrival at London Fashion Week by Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC).

She then toured the showrooms to view the display and to meet with designers,  including the ‘New Gen’ group – a BFC initiative that supports emerging talent.

Her Late Majesty visited London Fashion Week to view the exhibitions and to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.

The award was initiated in recognition of the role the fashion industry plays in society and diplomacy and will, from now on, be awarded annually to an emerging British fashion designer, who displays exceptional talent and originality.

Angela Kelly, Personal Advisor to Her Late Majesty, had been working on designing the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, which Her Late Majesty wanted to give in recognition of emerging British fashion talent.

The inaugural award was presented to British fashion designer Richard Quinn. He is an emerging talent who has been recognised for his exceptional prints. Mr Quinn is already supplying to several leading stores around the world.

The Queen Elizabeth II Award aims to provide continuing recognition of the cultural and trade role the British design and fashion industry has played, and continues to play.

The award itself was designed by Angela Kelly, inspired by the Queen Elizabeth rose, and has been hand-produced by Lucy Price at Bauhinia Studios in Birmingham’s famous jewellery quarter.

London Fashion Week never looked so regal.