Mert & Marcus to receive The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator at The Fashion Awards 2018
On the eve of their 25th anniversary of their partnership fashion image-makers Mert & Marcus will be honoured with The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator at The Fashion Awards 2018 on 10 December.
The event, staged by the British Fashion Council in partnership with Swarovski, serves as the main fundraiser for the BFC's efforts to promote British designers on a global scale and to support up-and-coming talent. It rewards British design and fashion talent but also international figures.
Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott began their partnership in 1994 and have gone on to become among the most sought-after fashion photographers on the market helping to define brands such as Calvin Klein, Givenchy, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Missoni, Miu Miu, Roberto Cavalli and Versace and they have worked with prestigious magazines such as LOVE Magazine, Self Service, Vanity Fair, Vogue and W Magazine.
Known for their digitally manipulated images portraying strong, confident women, their subjects have included some of the world's most recognisable style icons and celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Naomi Campbell and Rihanna.
Caroline Rush, BFC Chief Executive commented: “We are thrilled to present the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator to Mert and Marcus and acknowledge them for their remarkable contribution to the global fashion industry. Mert and Marcus have a unique way of portraying glamour, youth and fantasy, making them one of the forces of our industry. We look forward to celebrating with them, their clients and friends in London in December.”
Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board added: “It is our great pleasure to recognize Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott’s inspirational creativity and impact with the 2018 Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator. Resonating throughout the industry and far beyond, Mert and Marcus’s unique blend of vision, energy and innovation has created some of the most iconic images of our time.”
Born in Turkey and Britain respectively, Mert and Marcus met at a party in the early 90s. Sharing their love of fashion, the duo soon after started building their names in the industry. Their portfolio, which features photography and film, typically includes hyper saturated and colourful imagery with a surreal tone, a contrast to the black and white photography dominating the fashion scene in the early 90s. With their innovation in digital photography and over two decades in the business, the duo has revolutionised the landscape of fashion photography.
In 2015, Mert and Marcus were awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society for their incredible work in the world of photography and in 2016, the duo’s first exhibition which featured 18 works, was held at Phillips auction house, in London, before traveling to Paris. Their achievements also include but are not limited to an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, a 400-page retrospective book released by Taschen this year, Kate Moss’ 60th anniversary Playboy cover and the 2006 Pirelli Calendar.
The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator recognises the very best innovators and creatives in fashion, celebrating invaluable contributions that have changed the entire fashion landscape. Previous recipients include Pat McGrath, Nick Knight OBE, Edward Enninful OBE, Lady Amanda Harlech and Professor Louise Wilson OBE.
As well as Swarovski, which is principal sponsor, other supporters of the event include American Express, Bird in Hand, Digital Domain, Getty Images, Lavazza Coffee, Mercedes-Benz, Rosewood London and Slingsby Gin.
