London-based inimitable designer Feben picked up the award for Breakthrough Designer at the ELLE Style Awards this evening. Seasoned creatives from the worlds of fashion, music, film and literature came together to celebrate British creativity at The Old Sessions House, and Feben (born Feben Vemmenby) received a standing ovation as she headed to the stage to collect her award.
Adorned in her namesake label, poet James Messiah presented the designer with the award, which was sponsored by Canada Goose through its dedication to the next generation of changemakers and emerging creatives.
In her acceptance speech, Feben talked about how 'everything is a journey'. She also discussed how she came to the UK 14 years ago: 'I arrived with £70 and a suitcase full of noodles and a sewing machine.'
Presenting the award, Messiah said of Feben: 'It takes a special kind of person to be brave and a particular kind of person to explore their curiosity and intrigue.'
The accolade is a further testament to the designer's craftsmanship and rapid rise in through the fashion industry ranks. Since unveiling her MA collection at Central Saint Martins, titled ‘It’s Not Right, But Its Okay’, the Isabella Blow scholar has been on an upward trajectory with zero signs of stopping. Her signature twisting and puckered garments have piqued the interest of A-listers outside of the fashion world, too. Back in June, Beyoncé commissioned the designer to create a look for her glittering Renaissance tour.
Elsewhere, Feben – also a British Fashion Council NewGen designer – also unveiled a riotous tarot card-themed AW23 collection, named ‘Scales’, to rave reception back in February during London Fashion Week, enlisting musician Jorja Smith as a runway muse. ‘The woman, man, non-binary person that I design for is an eclectic, curious and radical person,’ Feben told ELLE UK earlier this year of the driving force behind the collection. Integrity and authenticity remain a core part of her ethos, which is no doubt reflected via her thought-provoking pieces. ‘I want curious, opinionated people in my show,’ she added. ‘As an Ethiopian woman who grew up in Sweden, it’s always going to be political for me to be in a room. Because I’m a Black woman, I feel obligated to speak on things – otherwise, things will never change.’
Other fashion honorees at this year’s ELLE Style Awards include Martine Rose, who took home the award for Culture Shifter, and Kim Jones, who won the award for Designer of the Year.
