London Glam: CEW U.K. Achiever Awards

While the Cosmetic Executive Women Achiever Awards were established in the U.S. in 1975, they were initiated within the U.K. in 2002. The awards aim to promote the beauty industry and recognize female achievers for their skill and dedication to it. The U.K. Achiever Awards celebrate homegrown talent. The CEW (U.K.) Board chooses winners annually.

This year’s awards ceremony was held on Oct. 9 in the ballroom at the swish Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel, Cadogan Place, London, just round the corner from leading fashion and beauty stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

Cocktails and canapés preceded the presentations and a drawing was held to aid CEW’s Cancer & Careers, a program supporting working women with cancer. The sponsors for the evening were the London College of Beauty Therapy, eve magazine, Quest International, JSL and Headmasters salons. The large turnout went home with a gorgeous bag provided by JSL and packed full of cosmetic goodies.

The lifetime Achiever Award was presented to model and fashion icon Twiggy by Stuart Rose, chief executive of U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer. Twiggy currently is involved in a successful, high-profile marketing campaign for M&S clothes, which is helping to boost the company’s fashion sales. Barbara Hulaniki, founder of Biba, flew in especially from Miami to introduce the award.

The four winners of Achiever Awards are:

• Marcia Kilgore, founder of Bliss and now founder/creative director of Brandhandling; and Jo Malone, founder of Jo Malone.
• Marigay McKee, general merchandise director for beauty and fashion, Harrods; and Kathy Phillips, founder and creative director, Thisworks, and beauty director, Condé Nast Asia.
• The winner of the members’ achiever awards, voted for by CEW members, was Maleka Dattu, general manager, Origins.
• Finally, a special award was presented to Caroline Neville, chairperson of CEW U.K. for her contribution to the industry.