Each year, Swarovski and the British Fashion Council celebrates an individual like this; one who has made a positive impact on society and the environment in accordance with Swarovski’s sustainability commitments. Previous years saw late journalist Franca Sozzani (2016) and Dior Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri (2017) take home the honor.

Westwood’s efforts to achieve change started over 20 years ago with campaigns, collections and shows dedicated to raising awareness for several environmental and human rights charities and grassroots NGO’s including Liberty, Reprieve, Amnesty International, War Child, Friends of the Earth and the Environmental Justice Foundation.

In 2010, Westwood partnered with a joint body of the United Nations, the International Trade Centre, to produce bags from recycled materials through their Ethical Fashion Initiative. The program supports marginalized African women and empowers informal manufacturers and craftspeople within the value chain.

More recently, Westwood has turned her attention to our earth’s depleting natural resources, campaigning with Cool Earth and Greenpeace (for which she designed the ‘Stop the Arctic’ logo) to stop climate change and industrial fishing, respectively.

Executive Board Member Nadja Swarovski noted of the honoree, “We are delighted to celebrate her inspirational creativity, lifelong advocacy of environmental causes and promotion of ethical fashion which have had an enduring and profound effect on the industry.”

Dame Vivienne Westwood was presented with the Swarovski Award for Positive Change at the Fashion Awards 2018 on December 10 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.