Tracee Ellis Ross to host BFC's Fashion Awards 2019

Ross is best known for her Golden Globe-winning role as Dr. Rainbow Johnson on the ABC comedy series blackish and playing Joan Clayton on the long-running hit series Girlfriends. For her role as Rainbow, Ross has received numerous individual accolades including winning the 2017 Golden Globe Award and four NAACP Image Awards. She also garnered three Primetime Emmy nominations and two Critics Choice Award nominations. She is an executive producer on the ABC comedy series mixed-ish. Tracee recently wrapped production on the Focus Features comedy Covers alongside Dakota Johnson, which is set for a May 2020 release.

Borne from a legacy of style, Ross is known for her sartorial flair and taking fashion risks with ease and grace. Whether gracing the Emmys red carpet in couture, thanking her shopping habit for her oft-documented street style, or inviting her more than 9 million followers on social media to make fun of her dad sneakers, Ross uses fashion as a mean of self-expression and communication.

Ross serves as the CEO and founder of Pattern —a haircare brand launched in September, she created for the curly and tight-textured masses. Pattern sold out of the majority of items within one day. The brand also helps support organisations and programmes that empower women and people of colour.

Ross also uses her voice and vast social influence to advocate for a joyful culture of self-acceptance, inclusivity, and equity across all industries. As one of the founders of the #TimesUp movement, Ross is actively involved in working towards the goal of creating safety and equality in the workplace. An outspoken supporter for women’s rights, she has become an influential voice in conversations around diversity, equality and female empowerment making her one of the most respected women of our generation. In April 2018, Ross opened the TED Conference, the first black woman to do so, with a powerful speech about the wisdom of women’s fury.

The Fashion Awards is the main fundraiser for the BFC’s charitable and talent support work. The BFC is a not for profit organisation focused on promoting excellence in British fashion and supporting the future pipeline of creative talent. The BFC’s work is achieved through a range of charitable initiatives which focus on education, business and mentoring schemes that support talent from school level and emerging designers to fashion start-ups and established brands.

The British Fashion Council (BFC) was set up in 1983 to promote British fashion internationally and co-ordinate this promotion through fashion weeks, exhibitions and showcasing events. The BFC now supports designers beginning at college level and extending to talent identification, business support and showcasing schemes to help British designer businesses develop their profiles and business globally and promote British fashion and its influential role in Britain and London. The BFC Colleges Council offers support to students through its Foundation, BA and MA scholarships, links with industry through design competitions and Graduate Preview Day. Talent identification and business support schemes include BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund supported by JD.com, Inc and Newgen which includes womenswear, menswear and accessories. The BFC also runs and owns charities including the BFC Fashion Arts Foundation, the BFC Fashion Trust and the BFC Education Foundation. Showcasing initiatives and events include London Fashion Week, London Fashion Week Men’s, London show Rooms, International Fashion Showcase, London Fashion Week Festival and the annual celebration of creativity and innovation in the fashion industry: The Fashion Awards.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)