Above An earlier photograph of Stella McCartney, receiving the British Designer of the Year Award, presented by Salma Hayek.

At the Elle Sverige gala at Stockholm’s Grand Hotel last night, designer Stella McCartney took home the H&M and Elle Conscious Award, given out to those actively working on sustainability and fashion.
   Hennes & Mauritz, which is the principal sponsor of the gala, sponsors both the Conscious Award and the newcomer award.
   The newcomer award was won by Common Affairs, a Swedish menswear design duo.
   ‘Stella McCartney is a modern woman and designer who shows that exclusive fashion, sustainability and responsibility obviously belong together, and are an important part of a sustainable future for our industry,’ says Catarina Midby, fashion and sustainability coordinator at H&M and a member of the jury for the H&M and Elle Conscious Award. ‘There is a consistent collection and lifestyle, and a clearly communicated vision that inspires her most conscious fashionistas with clothes and accessories that are gentle on animals and the environment, with the highest level of fashion.’
   The newcomer award has been given out since the first gala in January 1998. This year’s prize is Kr 25,000.
   Common Affairs draws on its duo’s experiences at design school in London and working in Paris. ‘Together they create a modern metropolitan collection for men but which girls also like to wear. It is well tailored, simple and minimalist with clear sporting influences, cool and functional at the same time, and Swedish-produced with responsibility for people and the environment,’ says Ann-Sofie Johansson, head of design at H&M and chair of the jury giving out the H&M and Elle newcomer award.