by Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Valentino, won the award for stylist of the year at the 2022 Fashion Awards.
Piccioli was presented with his award Monday night by actor Florence Pugh, who regularly wears the Italian brand to red carpet events.
The star-studded ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall was hosted by Queen & Slim actor Jodie Turner-Smith.
Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth Debicki, Golda Rosheuvel, Emma Corrin, Burna Boy, Sam Smith, Paris Jackson and Ashley Graham were in attendance, and Bella Hadid attended via video link.
Demna, the creative director of Balenciaga, who was previously nominated in the designer of the year award category, was shunned. Brand did not participate and Demna’s first name (he does not use his last name) was removed from the shortlist.
The luxury fashion house recently apologized for ads showing children with teddy bears in bondage gear and others presenting child sexual abuse law documents as backup.
Demna also released an Instagram statement on Friday in which he personally apologized, saying it was “the wrong artistic choice of concept.”
The nominees and winners of the Fashion Awards are voted on by an international jury of more than 1,000 industry experts.
Monday night marks the second time Piccioli has won the award — he won the award for the first time in 2018.
In 2021, the fashion house’s sales increased by 41%. It had revenue of €1.36bn (£1.17bn), 3% more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Piccioli is widely recognized for increasing demand, especially among Gen Z, a highly coveted demographic in the luxury market. Piccioli also collaborated with Pantone to create a special “Pink PP” hue featured on everything from miniature handbags to couture dresses, inspiring endless high street iterations.
Related: Balenciaga designer apologizes for “inappropriate” campaign with children
Other recipients of the evening included Bella Hadid, who won the Model of the Year award, and Grace Wales Bonner, founder of the Wales Bonner brand, who received the Independent British Brand award.
Designer Raf Simons, disability activist Sinéad Burke and former Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele were among 15 industry figures honored in training change leaders.
Elsewhere, co-founder of 1990s magazine Dazed & Confused, Jefferson Hack received a Special Recognition Award for Cultural Curating from Tilda Swinton, while stylist and creative director Katie Grand received the Isabella Blow Award for creator of fashion.
The British fashion industry also paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II through a segment titled ‘the fashion salute show’, featuring London-based brands including Burberry, Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane.
