Sustainable queen Stella McCartney takes home first Innovation trophy at the Fashion Awards 2017
British designer Stella McCartney picked up the first ever Special Recognition Award for Innovation at Monday night’s Fashion Awards.
Dressed in one of her elegant designs, the 46-year-old was presented the trophy by equally impressive innovator Sir James Dyson.
McCartney was chosen for her commitment to sustainable fashion and material innovation. The designer has refused to use leather, fur, feathers and animal skins since starting her eponymous label in 1995.
![Stella McCarteny picked up the Fashion Awards’ first ever Innovation trophy [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_d_fkf6VOcG.ETpE0yEcTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/a113b3dfae5e1f05fed10bbcca3b4621)
“To set up your own label is a brave thing to do,” said presenter James Dyson. “But to decide not to use leather is even braver and is really the commercial equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot.”
Speaking to Yahoo Style UK backstage, McCartney said she was “honoured” to win the first Innovation award and hopes to continue working with scientists to create alternative and environmentally-friendly materials and fabrics.
When asked why she personally tasked herself with the challenge of saving the environment, she replied: “Frankly, why doesn’t the world care about the environment personally? I inhabit this world just like all of you.”
“It’s fashion’s responsibility to lead this stuff and be the agents of change.”
![The designer said fashion should be leading the way when it comes to sustainability [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/o0qSeZ4ObzVuKGp221osHw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY2OA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/9f96ff2090c8c27b8c8d96e7c4e93507)
Adding that she planned to celebrate with a cocktail or two, the designer hopes to inspire other brands to follow her sustainable path.
Fashion is the second most damaging industry on the planet thanks to its slaughter of animals and dying processes that release poisonous toxins into our rivers.
On stage, McCartney thanked “all of the people who have ever supported the crazy concept that fashion can be more conscious, more responsible and more mindful. To find technology and innovation sexy and stylish rather than uncool and intimidating.”
She finished by asking the British Fashion Council to have the same award next year so that she can hand it to somebody else.
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