Dame Anna Wintour, Roksanda Ilincic, Nick Knight and Damian Hopkins recognised with King’s Birthday Honours

Dame Anna Wintour, legendary Editor in Chief of US Vogue, leads the field of fashion honourees in the King’s first Birthday Honours list having been accorded the highest accolade of Companion of Honour.

At any one point in time there are only 65 Companions of Honour and they are awarded to individuals who have made “a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time”.

A previous holder of the honour was Dame Mary Quant who passed away at the age of 93 in April. Notable current holders include Dame Maggie Smith, Sir David Attenborough, Lord Coe and Sir John Major.

Dame Anna, who is also Global Editorial Director of Vogue and Global Content Officer for Condé Nast, was recognised for her services to fashion.

Fashion design Roksanda Ilincic was awarded an MBE for her services to fashion design and in a statement on social media said she was “truly honoured and humbled”, while celebrated fashion photographer Nick Knight received a CBE for services to photography and fashion and declared himself to be “incredibly proud and delighted”.

In retail Damian Hopkins, founder and CEO of PDS Radius Brands and executive director of PDS Ltd, was awarded a CBE for services to retail. An innovator in the brand and licensing sector, promoting British brands overseas, Hopkins was also a trailblazer for sustainability in fashion.

He has also been closely involved with the Retail Trust charity for over a decade and is also President of The Twenty Club, the retail dining club founded in 1897. He served on the council for the National Childrenswear Association during the 1990s and early 2000s.

On receiving the honour Hopkins commented: “I feel profoundly honoured, humbled and frankly blown away to be recognised with a CBE in The King’s Birthday Honours List. The retail and fashion sector covers millions of people and I see this honour as recognition of the many people, companies, factories, partners, and brands that I have had the pleasure of working with over the years around the world, and what we have all achieved together.”

“I have also enjoyed giving my time to organisations such as The Twenty Club, the National Children’s Wear Association, Products of Change and of course The Retail Trust with whom I have long been a supporter. The retail charity has been at the heart of the retail sector since 1832 and helps some of most vulnerable in the industry but also supports with education, mentoring, well-being and even offers retail workers amazing retirement estates throughout the country.”

“I will use this honour to continue raising awareness for workers in the retail sector. The retail and fashion industry is a wonderful community of incredibly passionate, dedicated creative people and I feel blessed to be part of it. My huge thanks go to everyone who has worked with me in whatever capacity over the years and to those who have supported, encouraged and inspired me including my friends and family.”

In addition, fashion photographer Nick Knight received a CBE for services to photography and fashion and said he was "incredibly proud and absolutely delighted" on social media. While hand knit designer Jennette Sloan was recognised with an MBE for services to knitwear design and diversity in the fine arts.

On social media, Sloan said: “I am very proud and somewhat gobsmacked. As the child of Bajan parents who came to this country as part of the Windrush generation, I am hugely proud to accept a MBE in recognition of my career as a knitwear designer and my efforts to make the fibre space more inclusive, diverse and welcoming for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.”

In retail, Damian Hopkins, founder and chief executive of PDS Radius Brands, the branding, marketing and communications consultancy, was awarded a CBE for services to the retail industry.

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