The British Fashion Council today announces that Pat McGrath MBE will receive the Isabella Blow Award at The Fashion Awards 2017 in partnership with Swarovski. McGrath will be honoured at this year’s ceremony on Monday 4th December at the Royal Albert Hall for her invaluable contribution to the global fashion and beauty industry.
Pat McGrath’s astonishing career started in London in the early 90’s where she both reinvented makeup and reimagined the landscape of the contemporary face. Her success was further catapulted with the fateful introduction to legendary photographer Steven Meisel. This introduction would lead to a long-standing personal and professional relationship that continues to this day.
Celebrated for her innovative and creative techniques of using makeup and colour, Pat McGrath continues to create unique beauty looks each season for runway shows in London, Paris, New York and Milan. Her ongoing work also includes fashion advertising campaigns and editorials for some of fashion’s most prestigious publications and brands including Prada, Miu Miu, Yohji Yamamoto, Versace, Valentino and Margiela.
Born and raised by her mother in Northampton, her love for makeup and fashion developed at an early age. Despite having had no formal training, it is her creative vision and her ability to push boundaries that has made her into the true creator and innovator she is known as today, constantly creating beauty trends of the future.
Her achievements include but are not limited to, being named Global Creative Design Director for Procter & Gamble in 2004. In September 2007, Vogue named McGrath, "The most influential make-up artist in the world”. CNN voted McGrath "one of the most influential and powerful people in fashion" and The Wall Street Journal voted McGrath, "The Fashion
Innovator of the Year." In HM Queen Elizabeth II's New Year Honours List of 2014, McGrath was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the fashion and beauty industries.
Over the last two decades McGrath has been the artistic force behind creating, developing and launching four international luxury cosmetic brands, including Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and her own recently launched eponymous brand – Pat McGrath Labs.
In October 2015, McGrath's groundbreaking launch of Pat McGrath Labs - the first brand to bear her name - disrupted beauty industry standards, and her innovative approach continues to revolutionize the landscape. Utilizing a never-before-seen concept of “Straight from the labs.” Pat McGrath Labs has captivated the attention of consumers and industry veterans alike by continuing to break all the rules in beauty.
The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator recognises the very best innovators and creatives in fashion, celebrating invaluable contributions that have changed the entire fashion landscape. With a discerning eye and incessant drive, this creative has brought designers’ creations to life and helped create worlds within brands. Their dedication to the craft has garnered legions of fans and the incredible body of work has already left an indelible mark on the entire industry. Previous winners of the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator include: Bruce Weber (2016) Nick Knight OBE (2015), Edward Enninful OBE (2014), Lady Amanda Harlech (2013) and Professor Louise Wilson OBE (2012).
The Fashion Awards in partnership with Swarovski recognise creativity and innovation in fashion. The Fashion Awards celebrate exceptional individuals whose imagination and creativity have broken new ground in fashion globally over the past 12 months and brands and businesses that have transformed the possibilities of fashion today. The event hosted in fashion’s creative capital, London, raises money to nurture future generations of fashion talent. The BFC Education Foundation is the charitable partner to The Fashion Awards 2017 in partnership with Swarovski.