Anna Wintour to be honored by British Fashion Council

One of the top names in the industry, Anna Wintour will get another top prize at next month’s British Fashion Awards, when she’s handed an Outstanding Achievement Award to recognize her groundbreaking career. 

Wintour started at Harpers & Queen in London in 1970, becoming Creative Director of American Vogue in 1983, and then returned to the UK for the top job at British Vogue in 1986. Two years later she hopped across the Atlantic once again to take up her current position at American Vogue. Last year she was also named as the artistic director of Condé Nast, where she has continued to challenge and develop the industry’s talents.

“Anna has such an influential hand in fashion, she cares about, and pioneers creativity. Her love and contribution to British fashion is truly outstanding and I am ever grateful for all the support she has given me,” said Sarah Burton OBE, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen. 

Beyond her day job, Wintour is being rewarded for her extensive cultural and humanitarian fundraising (including for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she’s raised nearly $130 million for the Costume Institute). In addition, the prize recognizes her spearheading of the CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund (set up in 2003) and her role in the 2009 creation of the Fashion’s Night Out initiative.

“Anna Wintour has helped, nurtured and advised the careers of some of the world’s most brilliant and creative designers,” added Natalie Massenet, Net-A-Porter boss and Chairman of the British Fashion Council. “There isn’t a person working in fashion who has not been inspired and influenced by Anna’s leadership.”

Check out the britishfashionawards.com site to see the full list of awards and nominees ahead of the ceremony in London on December 1.