Iconic designer Jenny Kee has been crowned as the 2013 Australian Fashion Laureate recipient, recognising her contribution to the Australian fashion industry over the past 40 years.
Kee, who established herself as an exuberant new identity for Australian fashion in 1973 with the launch of her iconic Sydney Strand Arcade store, Flamingo Park Frock Shop, was announced as the 2013 award recipient at a lavish soiree held at ECQ Bar in Circular Quay.
The event was hosted by IMG Fashion in conjunction with the New South Wales Government where Kee was presented with the Jan Logan statuette, after being voted the winner by a respected panel of industry professionals.
Other nominees for the 2013 Australian Fashion Laureate included designers Sarah Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton of local label Sass & Bide, Nicky and Simone Zimmerman, founders of their epynomous label Zimmerman, as well as esteemed industry veterans Nancy Pilcher and Nicholas Huxley.
The accolade sees Kee join a string of acclaimed designers and previous Laureate receipients including last year's winner Collette Dinnigan, Carla Zampatti, Easton Pearson and Akira Isogawa, and Australian Fashion Week founder Simon Lock.
Throughout her career which has spanned four decades, Kee has become known for her pieces which are inspired by the Australian landscape and splashed with vibrant Australian fauna and flora prints.
Kee has, to date, also received numerous commissions, including works for Parliament House in Canberra, the Australian Bicentenary and her parade of costumes for the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Her Opal designs were used by Chanel in Paris and her Koala knits worn by Diana, Princess of Wales. She has also been featured in international magazines from Italian Vogue to New York's Women's Wear Daily.
Kee now shares her artistic talents via Art of the Scarf from 1980 – Now. The inspired collection of silk scarves features seminal works from iconic vintage re-issues including the Black Opal print used in Karl Lagerfeld’s first collection for Chanel in 1982 – to exciting, fresh, new designs.
Commenting on Kee's remarkable fashion career and award win, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade & Investment Andrew Stoner said Kee was an example for the Australian fashion industry.
“I’m delighted to acknowledge this year’s Australian Fashion Laureate Jenny Kee, a true pioneer of Australian style who is renowned the world over for her vibrant and colourful designs. I would also like to recognise the nominees, all of whom represent the best of the Australian fashion industry.”
IMG Fashion director of strategy & brand Elle Persson also acknowledged Kee's fellow nominees and thanked the Laureate judging panel for its involvement.
“We would like to congratulate this year’s outstanding and diverse range of nominees who have significantly enhanced the Australian fashion industry over the last 40 years. We would also like to thank the esteemed Laureate panel for their year-on-year support of this prestigious event and we look forward to the future of this awards platform.”
From 2014, the Australian Fashion Laureate presented by The Weekend Australian Magazine, will form part of a richer awards ceremony incorporating new categories to recognise the achievements of individuals and brands in womenswear, menswear, emerging designers and retailers. The esteemed Australian Fashion Laureate will remain as the honorary award acknowledging outstanding contribution to the growth, development and promotion of the Australian fashion industry.