The ongoing London Fashion Week welcomed its most prestigious guest on Tuesday as Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance in the front row of a catwalk show from emerging designer Richard Quinn.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends the Richard Quinn show at London Fashion Week in London, Feb. 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends the Richard Quinn show at London Fashion Week in London, Feb. 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo
The 91-year-old monarch, dressed in a pale blue suit, sat next to Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue magazine, as models displayed a series of bold and brightly colored designs.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II presents the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Richard Quinn after his show at London Fashion Week in London, Feb. 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II presents the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Richard Quinn after his show at London Fashion Week in London, Feb. 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo
She later presented the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Quinn.
"As a tribute to the industry, and as my legacy to all those who have contributed to British fashion, I would like to present this award for new, young talent," said the Queen.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II makes a speech before presenting the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Richard Quinn after his show in London, Feb. 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II makes a speech before presenting the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Richard Quinn after his show in London, Feb. 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo
The Award has been created to recognize the role that the fashion industry plays in society and diplomacy, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
It will be given annually to an emerging British fashion designer who shows exceptional talent and originality, whilst demonstrating their value to the community and/or strong sustainable policies, the statement added.
London-born designer Quinn established his namesake label in 2016. The London Fashion Week website said of him: ”Specializing in womenswear and textiles his collections are bold and emotive creating a forward-thinking, unafraid vision."
“Richard creates garments with attention to innovative fabrications, focusing on his ability to combine unique handcrafted skill with a refined high fashion sensibility.”
On Monday, the Queen invited fashion designers and models to a reception at Buckingham Palace, her London home.