S.S.Daley is latest recipient of Queen Elizabeth II Award

S.S.Daley has been named by the British Fashion Council (BFC) as the recipient of The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, which “recognises a designer who leads with innovation and is making a difference to society through either sustainable practices or community engagement”.

Receiving his award from the Duchess of Edinburgh at The Royal Academy in London was the label’s founder Steven Stokey-Daley.

Stokey-Daley first came to prominence when stylist Harry Lambert selected pieces from his graduate collection for Harry Styles’ Golden music video, with Styles recently investing in the brand via a minority stake. 

His label explores “the duplicity of his British heritage, centring around themes of class and identity”. He’s known for embracing sustainable practices, using deadstock and donated fabrics to create designs. In 2022, the label also won the prestigious LVMH Prize as well as the BFC Foundation Award at the Fashion Awards.

BFC chief Caroline Rush said: “The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design was established to highlight the vital role fashion plays in society and diplomacy, while shining a light on young designers leading the way in sustainability and community engagement. Since its inception in 2018, the award has positioned its honourees at the forefront of global fashion. For a young designer, this recognition provides not only an endorsement of their creative vision but also critical support in building a sustainable and influential brand. S.S.Daley has made remarkable strides in fashion with his unique approach to menswear and storytelling through design. His use of deadstock fabrics and commitment to diverse model casting demonstrate a bold, innovative spirit that perfectly embodies the essence of British fashion.”

At the same time as announcing the award, the BFC Foundation launched its Impact Report and revealed that the organisation has remitted £4.3 million to design talent, from scholars to designer businesses, between 2020 and 2024.

The BFC Foundation is the only UK charity offering comprehensive support to fashion talent, spanning education, scholarships, emerging talent, and growth funds.

In the financial year spanning 2023 and 2024, the BFC has invested £619,000 in education supporting 39 designers through scholarships and designer support schemes.

Rush added: “Despite the challenging landscape that designers are facing, I remain optimistic because of the incredible resilience of our creative community. In 2020, we set the goal of raising £10 million in 10 years and I am delighted to say that we are on track and will continue with this momentum.”