Fashion Greats Featured in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year Honours List

Barbara Hulanicki, founder of the 1960s retail emporium Biba, is among the stars from the world of fashion to be recognized in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year Honours list, which includes Lulu Kennedy, the founder of the Fashion East program; Emma Hope, a footwear designer; and Christopher Inman, the Honorary Treasurer of the British Fashion Council (BFC).

The Polish-born Barbara Hulanicki was named an OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire - for her services to the fashion industry. Hulanicki, known for her successfully designed collaborations for retail stores like Topshop, Habitat and George at Asda, has also worked for other design houses like Fiorucci and Cacharel.

"I'm just absolutely thrilled. It's thrilling for a Polish person to get an award like that from the Queen," WWD quoted her as saying, "And half of it does belong to my husband of course, because it's for Biba."

Lulu Kennedy and Emma Hope, meanwhile, were named Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Kennedy's Fashion East program is regarded as an important initiative in nurturing young talent during their initial struggling years. In the past, the program has helped people like Scottish designer Jonathan Saunders and Serbian-born designer Roksanda Ilincic, who are now well-known names in the industry.

Finally, Christopher Inman, who is the treasurer of the BFC, was also made an OBE, for his contributions to the British fashion industry.