At this year’s Fashion Awards, held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the British Fashion Council (BFC) presented the Special Recognition Award to Tania Fares, marking a historic first for a Lebanese recipient. The honor celebrates 15 years of the BFC Fashion Trust, the Council’s flagship grant-giving and mentorship program, which has raised millions to support emerging designers and the cultural champions who uplift them.

As Co-Chair of the BFC Foundation’s fundraising committee, Tania Fares has played a key role in shaping how philanthropy and fashion intersect, developing a Patron Program that empowers young designers around the world. In her acceptance speech, she reflected on the significance of the moment, calling it deeply moving and meaningful “for every creator I have had the privilege to support.”

She recalled founding Fashion Trust on the belief that talent deserves to be nurtured and celebrated, noting its growth into a community that has supported 83 designers. She credited her Lebanese roots for inspiring her values, while London gave her the platform to turn vision into action. “Supporting talent and helping build a more inclusive, global fashion community has been one of the great privileges of my life,” she said.