Knitwear Queen’s industry accolade
Renowned but notoriously modest fashion designer Vivian Chan Shaw is said to have been delighted to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Fashion Group International of Sydney Awards for Excellence 2009.
The fashion designer, who recently added a range of hand made jewellery to her collections and will showcase her brand at FASHION EXPOSED in February, is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading knitwear specialists.
A thrilled Chan Shaw accepted her award from MC and fellow fashion designer Henry Roth, from the hit TV show Project Runway, at a gala presentation in Sydney on November 13.
Fashion Group International (FGI) - a global, non-profit organisation for professionals in the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries - was established in New York in 1930 by founding members Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubenstein, costume and fashion designer Edith Head and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Tipped as a key event on the industry calendar and a “feather in the cap” of any fashion designer, FGI’s bi-annual awards recognise excellence in the categories of Rising Star; Sustainable Design; Innovation Excellence; International Achievement and Lifetime Achievement.
Chan Shaw launched her self-named label in1972. Working out of a small store under Sydney’s Hilton Hotel and selling hand made, one-off designs in exclusive fabrics, the fashion designer was discovered by international stars Margaux Hemingway and Bo Derek, who were guests at the Hilton at the time.
Over the years she has carved a niche as Australia’s Queen of Knitwear. Sportswear International Magazine named her “a master of knit who would rival the Missonis”. Her contribution to Australian Fashion is also recognised by Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, which houses her designs in its permanent collection.
This year the fashion designer also joined the Harpers Bazaar Hall of Fame, which lauded her as one of the “Founding Fathers of Australian Style”.
Vivian Chan Shaw will be on show alongside leading high end labels, in the preview fashion designer section of FASHION EXPOSED, from 14-15 February 2010 at the Sydney Exhibition Centre.