British Prime Minister Theresa May staged a reception for the UK fashion industry on Thursday (15.09.16) evening.
Guest Dame Vivienne Westwood
The 59-year-old politician welcomed fashion editors, retailers, designers including Dame Vivienne Westwood - who wore a 'Theresa Talk Vivienne' logo t-shirt - Christopher Bailey and Mary Katrantzou, as well as, for the first time, industry apprentices to 10 Downing Street for the prestigious event, which took place the night before London Fashion Week kicks off.
In a speech, Mrs. May pledged to do "everything" to help people utilise their talents within the fashion industry.
She said: "British fashion is of huge importance to our country, contributing £28bn to the UK economy and supporting nearly 900,000 jobs.
"The Government I lead will do everything we can, including providing the right investment in training and skills, to help everyone, whatever people's backgrounds, to go as far as their talents can take them.
"From our home grown start-ups to international fashion houses - every business in the industry will play a major role in ensuring we make a success of Brexit.
"By taking advantage of the opportunities that leaving the EU gives us and playing to our strengths as a great trading nation - we can build a build a fairer economy that works for all, not just the privileged few."
British Fashion Council (BFC) Chairman and the evening's co-host Dame Natalie Massenet said the celebratory event reaffirmed "the message that Britain, and London, is very much open for business."
Mrs. May's reception continues the tradition set by former Prime Ministers' wives Sarah Brown and Samantha Cameron in hosting a fashion week event, and Caroline Rush, the British Fashion Council's Chief Executive, praised her as a "great advocate" of British fashion, particularly for extending the invitation to apprentices.
She added to the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "Her dedication to young talent - including welcoming fashion apprentices, scholarship winners and graduate trainees to Number 10 - is a great signal that she is interested in the whole of the industry from young people to global brands."
To welcome her guests from the fashion world, the PM opted for a £120 cinched-waist shirt from Palmer//Harding's collaboration with John Lewis, teamed with black Amanda Wakeley trousers and her beloved lip-printed shoes by Russell and Bromley.
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