The British Fashion Council is set to honour Gucci’s Alessandro Michele,
who has been credited for reinventing and rejuvenating the fashion house,
at the upcoming British Fashion Awards. Michele will be presented with the
2015 International Designer Award at the ceremony on November 23, in
recognition of the remarkable achievements he has accomplished in his role
as Creative Director at Gucci.
“Alessandro Michele is a phenomenon at Gucci,” said Natalie Massenet MBE,
founder of Net-a-Porter and Chairman of the British Fashion Council. “His
exciting eclectic aesthetic has made an overnight impact on global fashion
trends. It is not just that he has made the brand covetable and the product
so desirable. He has also reinvigorated the retail experience bringing back
playfulness and magic to the flagship store. This is a man who has his
customer in his heart and celebrates them.”
“I’m honoured and still a little incredulous,” said Michele on receiving
the award to the Telegraph. Although his name has yet to become a
well acquainted household name, since he took over the creative reins at
Gucci at the beginning of this year the designer has presented four
collections which have managed to catch the attention of both the industry
and the consumer alike. His new re-understanding of the brand combined with
his modern take on romanticism have re-established Gucci’s position as the
number 2 fashion house in the global luxury goods market.
Michele admits that he was unaware of the impact his take on the
traditional fashion house would have. “For me it was really natural and
spontaneous,” he said. “I didn’t realise the impact it would have had…I
like to work in an organic and natural way. There’s nothing in my job that
feels like an obligation. Every aspect belongs to the same story.” However,
in spite of all his accomplishments over the past ten months, Michele
remains unfazed by all the acclaim surrounding him.
The award also marks his return to London – where Gucci used to run out of
its former headquarters in 2002 when Michele was hired by Tom Ford, the
Creative Director at Gucci at the time. “London’s where my career at Gucci
began,” he added. “My first office was in Tom’s studio. I’m obsessed with
British culture, past and present. I am deeply in love with this country
and its gorgeous history.” His fascination and love for the city is part of
the reason why Gucci is set to host its cruise collection catwalk show in
London as well.