BFC Power 25

Power to the Unknown
Yesterday the British Fashion Council decided on fashion's most powerful figures today, and some results are predictable in relation to the BFC Awards, but the fact that there are many unknown names demonstrates British fashion today. Being famous for fashion is not what get's you to be the most powerful. Many names on the list were people who are powerful behind the scenes, making other designers famous and getting designs on pop stars. Lulu Kennedy, director of Fashion East, appears on the list not due to being someone who is creating powerful fashion, but because she has the power to give opportunity to fashion, managing to make Henry Holland's t-shirt a mainstream trend.
What's great about this list is it really does show who's powerful, and how just because they're not in the spotlight it doesn't mean they don't affect fashion. If this list were made in Paris it would be as predictable as if the public chose it, whereas the British understand how it takes everyone to create powerful fashion, not just a head held high.

Alexander McQueen – designer

Anna Whiting & Sam Gainsbury – fashion show and shoot producers

Anya Hindmarch – designer

Christopher Bailey – chief creative officer, Burberry

Dame Vivienne Westwood – designer

David Bailey – photographer

Erin O'Connor – model and industry figurehead

Guido Palau – hairdresser

Harold Tillman – BFC chairman

Hilary Riva – ex CEO and BFC member

Hussein Chalayan – designer

Joan Burstein – owner of Browns boutique

John Galliano – designer

Kate Moss – model and Topshop designer

Louise Wilson – head of MA fashion at Central Saint Martins

Lulu Kennedy – director of Fashion East

Mandi Lennard – PR

Naomi Campbell – model

Nick Knight – photographer

Pat McGrath – makeup artist

Russell Marsh – casting director

Sir Paul Smith – designer

Sir Philip Green – owner, Arcadia

Sir Stuart Rose – executive chairman, Marks & Spencer

Stephen Jones – milliner