The British Fashion Council (BFC) is delighted to announce that The Fashion Awards 2019 will be hosted by award-winning American actress, CEO, and producer Tracee Ellis Ross. The Fashion Awards 2019 take place on Monday 2nd December at the Royal Albert Hall in London and are attended by designers, business and industry leaders, media, retailers, creatives, models and celebrities from across the globe to celebrate extraordinary creative fashion talent. They raise money for the BFC’s charitable and business support initiatives. General public tickets for The Fashion Awards 2019 are on sale and available on Ticketmaster.
Tracee Ellis Ross is best known for her Golden Globe-winning role as Dr. Rainbow Johnson on the ABC comedy series black-ish and playing Joan Clayton on the long-running hit series Girlfriends. For her role as Rainbow, Ross has received numerous individual accolades including winning the 2017 Golden Globe Award and four NAACP Image Awards. She also garnered three Primetime Emmy nominations and two Critics Choice Award nominations. She is an Executive Producer on the ABC comedy series mixed-ish. Tracee recently wrapped production on the Focus Features comedy COVERS alongside Dakota Johnson, which is set for a May 2020 release.
Born from a legacy of style, Ross is known for her sartorial flair and taking fashion risks with ease and grace. Whether gracing the Emmys red carpet in couture, thanking her shopping habit for her oft-documented street style, or inviting her more than 9 million followers on social media to make fun of her dad sneakers, Ross uses fashion as a mean of self-expression and communication. She not only loves fashion; she has fun with it.
Ross serves as the CEO and Founder of PATTERN —a haircare brand launched in September, she created for the curly, and tight-textured masses. PATTERN launched in early September and sold out of the majority of items within one day. The brand also helps support organizations and programs that empower women and people of color.
Ross also uses her voice and vast social influence to advocate for a joyful culture of self-acceptance, inclusivity, and equity across all industries. As one of the founders of the #TimesUp movement, Ross is actively involved in working towards the goal of creating safety and equality in the workplace. An outspoken supporter for women’s rights, she has become an influential voice in conversations around diversity, equality and female empowerment making her one of the most respected women of our generation. In April 2018, Ross opened the TED Conference, the first black woman to do so, with a powerful speech about the wisdom of women’s fury.
The Fashion Awards is the main fundraiser for the BFC’s charitable and talent support work. The BFC is a not for profit organisation focused on promoting excellence in British fashion and supporting the future pipeline of creative talent. The BFC’s work is achieved through a range of charitable initiatives which focus on education, business and mentoring schemes that support talent from school level and emerging designers to fashion start-ups and established brands. In 2018, the BFC raised over £2.3 million for its charities and business support initiatives out of which £1.1 million will be allocated directly to scholars and designer businesses with the remaining monies building an endowment to secure support for future generations.
The generosity and commitment of our partners is more vital than ever. Please help us by acknowledging our Presenting Partner Swarovski and Official Partners American Express, Bird in Hand, Getty Images, LAVAZZA, Rosewood London and Slingsby Gin for their support of The Fashion Awards 2019.