Members of the fashion industry share their thoughts on the inimitable Suzy Menkes, who will receive a Special Recognition Award at the 2013 British Fashion Awards.
"Before there was twitter, before there was Instagram, before there was blogging from the front row, there was Suzy, a brilliant, indefatigable and revered commentator on the world of fashion. She calls everything as she sees it, and she sees everything. She has my utmost respect, admiration, love - and congratulations" - Anna Wintour OBE, Condé Nast Artistic Director and Editor in Chief of Vogue, US
“To say Suzy Menkes is to say fashion. It's an honour to have worked for her to 25 years" - Chris Moore, photographer and founder of Catwalking.com
"Suzy is the fastest-mover in the west - or east. I have only ever beaten her to the race backstage about three times in fifteen years. The brain under that front-roll is a phenomenon. I'm in awe of the agenda-setting pieces she pens between Milan and Paris which both interrogate fashion's motives and put it in its rightful cultural and economic place. Besides that, she's the greatest defender of journalistic integrity, the greatest inspiration and the naughtiest wit I know" - Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Contributing Editor, Vogue USA
"It is an honour to be reviewed by Suzy, her words are always astute and sincere. She has a true understanding of the beauty of fashion and her words make you believe in it" - Simone Rocha
“Suzy is fashion. Suzy is the bench mark by which all others are judged. Few come close in authority, experience, judgement and hair do” - Stephen Jones OBE
“There are so many people reviewing fashion today but Suzy is still the person who, for me, best brings the clothes themselves to life. She is, of course, also brilliant at putting fashion into a broader cultural context but, if I miss a show, and read her commentary it's almost as if I can see the collection in front of me. She makes that seem easy but it's anything but. Add to that the fact that she is as sharp as a knife, as generous towards and interested in newcomers as she the big guns... Suzy is an incredible journalist and an incredible woman” - Susannah Frankel, Fashion Director at Grazia Magazine
"There is no one that I have more respect for than Suzy. Everything she does, she does with such energy and integrity. She writes with depth and hers are the words I read for advice and inspiration. She is truly brilliant and there's no other more deserving of the honour" - Sarah Burton OBE, Creative Director at Alexander McQueen
"She inspires me to be a better journalist every day" - Bandana Tewari, Vogue India