The Inaugural Fashion Trust U.S. Awards Ceremony Seen Through the Eyes of Founder Tania Fares
Back in 2011, Tania Fares founded her non-profit organization, Fashion Trust, as part of the British Fashion Council, with the aim to support up-and-coming design talents in the U.K. “I had my own label with Lulu Kennedy, called LuLu & Co., so I know how challenging it is to launch a brand,” Fares tells Vogue. “I wanted to give back, having gone through it myself.” She continued this spirit last year, when Fares expanded the organization with Fashion Trust U.S.—an arm of her non-profit specifically aimed at celebrating and supporting emerging American designers. “[It has a focus on] financial and mentoring to young designers, as well as building a community for them,” says Fares.
Last night, the inaugural Fashion Trust U.S. awards ceremony was held in Los Angeles, and Fares documented the special kick-off event for Vogue. The eventful day began with Fashion Trust U.S. board members and finalists meeting each other. The board—which includes Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, actor Kate Hudson, and stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson—finalized who would be winning the night’s respective categories. Then, come evening time, it was time for the trophies to be handed out to six rising talents, including designers Aisling Camps and Jacques Agbobly. “It’s so important to help highlight and uplift young designers, because there is so much talent out there,” says Fares.
For the affair, Fares naturally needed a strong look. She wore a custom latex bodysuit underneath a Proenza Schouler dress, mixed in with pieces from Handsome Stockholm, Tyler Ellis, and vintage Tom Ford. “I usually never wear black, but for some reason felt compelled this evening,” says Fares. “I also fell in love with the whole velvet and vintage combined. I’m a big fan of Proenza Schouler; I loved how simple but how chic the dress was.”
The founder’s favorite part of the evening wasn’t playing dress up, however. It was “the speeches from the designers and their reactions as they won,” Fares says. “Also, getting to chat with them about their collectsions and overall, being inspired by them.” She looks forward to keeping that momentum at the many more Fashion Trust U.S. ceremonies to come. “Growing the initiative and being able to support more designers, which is my true passion,” says Fares.
Below, a closer look inside Fashion Trust U.S.’s inaugural awards ceremony.
Photo: Courtesy of Tania Fares1/18Mornings before a big event can be a bit hectic, which is why I try to relax during my breakfast and a cup of coffee.
Photo: Courtesy of Tania Fares2/18This is my “calm before the storm,” so to speak. We happened to not have the best weather in L.A. this morning, but I knew our team was prepared for this.
Photo: Courtesy of Tania Fares3/18Both looks for the day and evening events are already chosen, however my stylist Hanna Isaksson went over last minute accessory options with me the morning of. She had included pieces from Alexis Bittar, Vintage Tom Ford (YSL era), as well as clutches from Tyler Ellis.
Photo: Courtesy of Tania Fares4/18My glam team, Jill Powell and Lorenzo Calderon, have arrived to get my hair and makeup ready for the first morning event—and we are then off to the first event of the day.
Photo: Bianca Del Bois5/18To start off the morning of Fashion Trust U.S. festivities, all finalists set up their collectsions for all our board and ambassadors to review and judge. We had three categories: ready-to-wear, jewelry, and graduates. We have also included awards for inclusivity, sustainability, and creativity.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan6/18The Fashion Trust U.S. ambassadors include not only world-renowned designers and stylists, but some very fashion-forward familiar faces as well, including Grammy award winning artist Ciara and the incredibly talented actresses Storm Reid, Kiernan Shipka, and Kate Hudson. I am wearing Melitta Baumeister, Alexis Bittar, and Maison Le Fawnhawk.
Photo: Bianca Del Bois7/18With Ciara.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan8/18After reviewing each collectsion, the board and ambassadors privately gatheedr to discuss and deliberate who our first inaugural Fashion Trust U.S. winners will be. This is an extremely hard decision, given how talented all of the finalists are.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan9/18Some of the finalists and board members.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan10/18With Law Roach and Tan France.
Photo: Courtesy of Tania Fares11/18I’m now ready for my evening look.
Photo: Courtesy of Tania Fares12/18My stylist Hanna Isaksson has dressed me in a custom latex bodysuit, a Proenza Schouler dress, Handsome Stockholm gloves, and vintage Tom Ford.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan13/18In the evening hours, the awards ceremony is about to begin. We have invited nearly 300 guests, and a heavy rain storm is first to arrive. I’m nervous that some confirmed guests will not show due to the bad weather.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan14/18Our guests did, however, begin to pour in (pun intended). I was both elated and grateful of the support I received from the fashion and entertainment industries, who showed up not just for fashion, but in support of emerging designers.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan15/18Heidi Klum and Alessandra Ambrosio.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan16/18Tracee Ellis Ross and Evan Ross.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan17/18Phoebe Robinson and Kate Beckinsale.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan18/18The first inaugural Fashion Trust U.S.has been a huge success! The past year of organizing has been worth it.
