MILAN – Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue editor in chief Franca Sozzani is to be the first recipient of The Swarovski Award for Positive Change, which was created by The Fashion Awards 2016 with Swarovski.
“Words cannot express the huge deal of admiration and respect I have for Franca and her work,” said Dame Natalie Massenet, chairman of the British Fashion Council. “She exemplifies those qualities this award has been created to honor, and her tireless commitment to the causes she cares so passionately about is a great example to us all. The positive impact she has had on the fashion and global communities will be felt for generations to come.”
Sozzani will receive the Award on Dec. 5 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Of Sozzani, Nadja Swarovski, member of the Swarovski executive board, said that “during her nearly three decades as editor of Vogue Italia she has worked tirelessly both to innovate and push the creative boundaries of fashion, and to help lead the global fight for a world without AIDS, cancer and hunger. Franca is an incredible woman and a force for good, and this award is the perfect celebration of her commitment to positive change, both inside and outside the industry.”
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Sozzani is being recognized for her commitment to diversity, her efforts to raise funds for local and international charities, such as Convivio in the fight to eradicate AIDS and the European Institute of Oncology toward prevention and diagnosis of oncological diseases, as well as her work as Global Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme.
Sozzani has over the years focused her attention and that of Vogue Italia on several social issues, ranging from racism and cosmetic surgery to the 2010 Gulf-BP oil spill and domestic violence. She has also been active in promoting talent with the Who Is On Next? initiative and has overseen the creation of the dedicated Vogue Talents section of the Vogue Italia web site.
The Fashion Awards 2016 will be the inaugural annual fundraiser gala for the British Fashion Council Education Foundation charity. The British Fashion Council aims to raise 10 million pounds, or $12.4 million at current exchange, over the next 10 years for the charity.