Priya Ahluwalia, designer of eponymous label Ahluwalia, has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II award for British Design. 

The crowning ceremony took place via a Zoom conversation between the fashion designer and countess, Sophie of Wessex, in which the two discussed Ahluwalia’s contributions to fashion. The conversation was remotely officiated by British Fashion Council’s CEO, Caroline Rush.

Known for her environmentally-friendly design, the designer cultivates her works with vintage materials and upcycled deadstock to lessen the industry’s impact on the environment. Ahluwalia weaves a part of her history into each creation. The London-based award winner was born to a Nigerian father and Indian mother, and fuses her dual heritage into her works to showcase the traditional craftsmanship and story of her ancestors. 

The prestigious Queen Elizabeth II award for British Design annually recognizes an emerging British fashion designer “that shows exceptional talent and originality, whilst demonstrating value to the community and/or strong sustainable policies”, as described by the British Fashion Council (BFC), an organization that collaborates with the royal household on determining the winner. Ahluwalia is the fourth official winner of the award which was inaugurated in 2018, the same year that Ahluwalia started her label. In a statement issued by the BFC, Ahluwalia is celebrated as a “progressive thinking leader and agent for change”.

Looking forward to the next decade of her young brand, the designer anticipates branching into womenswear, accessories, books and films to continue to shed light on and give a voice to lesser heard communities.