British Fashion Awards 2009 - The Winners

Tonight, some of the biggest names of the capital's fashion industry descended on the Royal Courts of Justice to toast the best fashion talent that London fashion has to offer. And, after a year of celebrations to mark 25 years of London Fashion Week, the British Fashion Awards were always going to be a big deal.

Christopher was awarded the night's highest accolade when he was crowned the Designer of the Year for 2009, while Burberry was named the Designer Brand of the Year after a victorious return to the catwalks of London Fashion Week.

A Level student Georgia May Jagger beat Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Daisy Lowe to win the Model of the Year gong and Kate Moss took home the new, publicly-voted London 25 Award, which was created in honour of the 25th anniversary celebrations of British Fashion to recognise an individual who embodies the spirit of the capital's fashion industry.

An absent John Galliano was awarded the British Fashion Council Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design. His prize was collected by Kate Moss, who was dressed in a floor-sweeping dress of his design for Christian Dior. American Vogue's creative director, Grace Coddington, was the recipient of the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator and Scottish designer Christopher Kane scooped the prize for Collection of the Year.

As for new talent, Holly Fulton and Peter Pilotto were awarded The Swarovski Emerging Talent Awards for Accessories and Ready-to-Wear respectively.

Lily Allen quits music for fashion

Singer and fashion show front row fixture Lily Allen told British Radio 1's Sara Cox December 2 that she was planning to take a time-out from music for 'at least one or two years' in order to pursue a fashion career.

Allen, who has previously starred in Chanel ads and performed at the label's most recent fashion show, has been promoting cutting-edge designers as well as established luxury brands in the past and was expected by many to "concretize" her passion for fashion in some way or the other.

Now it turns out that way will be in the form of a boutique she plans to open with her sister. To be called Lucy in Disguise, the shop will enable shoppers not only to buy clothes but also to hire or rent them, a concept already existent on some online shopping destinations and upscale vintage shops.

"It's about getting really nice clothes but letting people rent them for affordable prices," she told Cox, "so they can go out and feel like a million dollars and it won't cost them a million dollars."

The idea is part of a growing 'democratization' trend in fashion, which has an increasing number of designers taking steps towards widening their reach among the masses.

Allen also plans to launch a record label and test her acting skills during her break. Her last gig before the hiatus will take place alongsiderapper Dizzee Rascal at London's O2 Arena next March.

From: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/lily-allen-quits-music-for-fashion-1833586.html

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McCartney and Morrissey team up for meat-free fashion venture

Animal Friendly Fashion

Stella McCartney has teamed up with Morrissey to create a leather-free range of footwear.

The fashion designer and the singer - who are both vegetarians - are in the early stages of their collection but hope to launch the line next year.

Stella - daughter of Beatles legend Paul McCartney - said: "I'm working with Morrissey on a line of leather-free shoes which I'm really excited about. We are still in the early stages, but the shoes could be launched next year."

It was recently revealed Stella was in talks with Leona Lewis to launch an animal friendly fashion range.

The 'Happy' singer recently met with Stella - who shares similar views to Leona on the use of animal products in fashion - to discuss the possibility of her releasing her own branded products.

A friend claimed Leona had said: "I'm on a mission. I'd love to promote a line of non-leather bags and shoes that are affordable. I think more needs to be available and not so expensive.

"There's so much I want to do. I've always wanted to have my own fashion line, and that's something I want to focus on next year."

Vegetarian Leona, 24, doesn't wear suede, leather or other animal products and is public supporter of PETA, while Stella has been a long-time vegetarian.

For information about non-animal clothing or going meat free visit:
http://www.furisdead.com/
http://www.viva.org.uk/