Today, the Princess of Wales reaffirmed her commitment to championing British fashion and independent designers as she made a surprise appearance at the 180 Studios in London to present the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. This year honour was bestowed upon Liverpool-born, London-based designer Patrick McDowell.
Dressed in an olive green suit designed by Victoria Beckham, the Princess of Wales arrived at the venue at 11:30am, accompanied by British Fashion Council CEO Laura Weir and Chairperson David Pemsel.
The event spotlighted McDowell’s studio, where he introduced Her Royal Highness to seamstresses who help bring his bold visions to life. Guests were treated to a preview of his latest creations, including a vibrant fuchsia feathered kaftan-shirt and a lime green silk slip dress, showcasing his signature high-camp aesthetic and fearless colour palette.
McDowell, aged 29, is a Central Saint Martins graduate who founded his eponymous label in 2018 with a clear mission: to create fashion that is both avant-garde and environmentally conscious. His approach involves upcycling textiles, minimising waste, and embedding storytelling into every stitch. Speaking to The Standard, McDowell described the moment as “a game changing step forward for the brand.”
McDowel added how he was ‘incredibly honoured and humbled to have won. It’s really crucial that the main institutions in this country support British design, British craft, sustainability, and really use that platform to celebrate businesses that are working in the right way’.
The designer’s installation at 180 Studios featured ties between his work and the Royal Family. The embroiderers involved in the pieces were trained at Highgrove under The King’s Foundation, which collaborates with Chanel’s Métiers d’Art HQ Le19M in Paris through a 24-week residential training programme. Additionally, the jacket McDowell wore to receive the award was crafted from a Prince of Wales check fabric donated by Burberry, a remnant from his graduate collection.
The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, now in its seventh year, was launched in 2018 by the late Monarch to honour outstanding contributions to fashion as a force for social and cultural diplomacy. The award recognises ‘an emerging British fashion designer of womenswear, menswear, or accessories that shows exceptional talent and originality, whilst demonstrating value to the community and/or strong sustainable policies’.
The Award was thought of by Her late Majesty’s Personal Advisor, Angela Kelly, who was in charge of the late Queen’s wardrobe. The inaugural Award was announced and presented to Richard Quinn in February 2018 – when The Queen made her first visit to London Fashion Week.
Over the years, the award has been presented by senior royals, including King Charles, The Princess Royal and The Duchess of Edinburgh and Elizabeth II. Catherine last presented in 2022, the year of Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, to British menswear designer Saul Nash.
