London-based Rosh Mahtani of jewellery label Alighieri will be the third
recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, the British
Fashion Council has confirmed.
Mahtani, who was born in London and raised in Zambia, will be recognised
for the “craftsmanship of her jewellery” which is produced in Hatton
Garden, as well as for “using responsibly sourced materials, promoting
local manufacturing and supporting employment”.
The jewellery designer will be presented with the Queen Elizabeth II
Award for British Design by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess
Anne, who is also president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, on
behalf of Her Majesty The Queen on Tuesday, February 18, to close out
London Fashion Week.
Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC) said
in a statement: “Rosh Mahtani from Alighieri has managed to translate her
passion for jewellery and storytelling into a highly successful business
while using responsibly sourced materials.
“Her ethical approach and commitment to local manufacturing, combined
with her ability to make beautiful, timeless, made by hand jewellery, makes
her an inspiration for many young British designers. We are incredibly
proud to recognise Mahtani and look forward to seeing her business
grow.”
Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to be presented to Rosh
Mahtani of jewellery label Alighieri
Mahtani, who has no formal jewellery training, launched Alighieri in
2014, and the label has become known for its hand-made gold-plated
antique-style designs. Each piece of jewellery is handcrafted in Hatton
Garden, London’s Jewellery Quarter, and the unique pieces are made through
the process of lost-wax casting at some of the oldest local suppliers.
The brand is rooted in literature and travel and each biannual new
collection is based on a different aspect of The Divine Comedy. Just like
Dante Alighieri’s subjects, each piece of jewellery is unique, battered and
imperfect.
The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design was initiated in
recognition of the role the fashion industry plays in society and diplomacy
and the movement of young designers that are both talented and making a
difference to society through either sustainable practices or community
engagement.
Each year a designer is selected by the BFC, in collaboration with the
Royal Household, with the inaugural award given to Richard Quinn in
February 2018 when The Queen made Her Majesty’s first visit to London
Fashion Week, and in 2019, the award was presented to Bethany Williams by
The Duchess of Cornwall.
With sustainability and ethical practice at the heart of the prestigious
award, the BFC stated that this year’s recipient was chosen for her “unique
attention to detail and focus on craftsmanship and community”.
The Award, which will be presented to Mahtani during London Fashion
Week, has been designed by Angela Kelly, inspired by The Queen Elizabeth
rose, has been hand-produced by Lucy Price at Bauhinia Studios and in
Birmingham’s famous jewellery quarter.
Image: courtesy of the British Fashion Council
